FORT SILL, Okla. (June 4, 2015) -- Roy Brady walked onto Fort Sill May 29 and was met with a hero's welcome.
A retired Marine, Brady is walking 3,000 miles from Charlotte, N.C., to Camp Pendleton, Calif., to raise awareness for wounded warriors.
"I wanted to do something to give back to those guys that didn't come back in a good way, or didn't come back at all," said Brady.
A group of about 30 people gathered on Three-Mile Track to let him know his efforts were supported.
Jessica Cacy, a military spouse with 696th Forward Support Company, explained with tears in her eyes that she spread word about his visit because she has family members who have been wounded in combat.
"He actually needs the support. What he's doing for these wounded warriors is awesome."
The crowd cheered as Brady crossed the threshold to post where he was consumed by their handshakes and photos. The group was happy to have a champion for those who need help when they come home.
Brady, a former infantryman platoon sergeant, is raising funds for the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge. He said his ultimate goal is to raise awareness to a bigger problem.
"I just want (combat veterans) to know there is somebody out there who actually cares about them when they come back," said Brady. "My goal is to get everybody to take 10 minutes or five minutes out of their time to talk to a veteran or somebody that's come back from combat and ask them, 'How are you feeling? What are you going through? What do you need?'"
He encourages everyone to gain an understanding of what wounded warriors deal with as far as post traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and issues with prostheses.
"Know what you're talking about. Talk to someone who's going through something."
Brady said he has been well received during his trek across the United States, but not to the extent he was welcomed at Fort Sill.
"This is the coolest thing so far. This was definitely unexpected," he said.
Armed with Google Maps and social media to spread word of his journey, he stepped toward Amarillo, Texas, June 1 after spending time with the Fort Sill Marine Artillery Detachment.
To see his progress, visit Roy Brady's Walk 4 Warriors on Facebook.
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