Wilderness walk benefits veterans and families

Wilderness walk benefits veterans and families |
DOVER-FOXCROFT — In July a contingent will be traveling nearly 120 miles over 10 days from downtown Monson to the summit of Mount Katahdin in the fourth annual Wilderness Walk for Warriors along the Appalachian Trail. The hike serves a fundraiser for the organizer with all proceeds raised benefiting Maine veterans, service members and their families.
On March 11 officials from the Wilderness Walk for Warriors joined the region’s American Legion posts in distributing 40 food bags for area veterans and families in need. Chadbourne-Merrill Post 29 Commander Sanford Robinson said the food bags will be handed out through the eight district posts, which all brought forward the names of those who could use the items.
Robinson said the food was bought at discount from Will’s Shop ‘n Save and “there is food to make a basic meal for five days.” He said the bags contain pork cutlets, kielbasa, ham steak, chicken, tuna, macaroni and cheese, soup, jello cups and more.
“It is a way to thank them for their service,” Robinson said, saying the bags also contain a thank-you note from Wilderness Walk for Warriors. He said the food distribution is among the various service projects of the American Legion, and Robinson added that the Dover-Foxcroft Post and others are always looking for new members especially younger veterans.
The event included a luncheon and slideshow of previous Wilderness Walk for Warriors hikes through the 100-Mile Wilderness to Mount Katahdin. Founder Chris Robinson of Houlton said he and his brother Tim, of Levant, “started this organization back in 2014, our first year hiking and collecting funds for veterans and service members.”
He continued, “What we like is to expend that back out for veterans and service members. Every dollar, 100 percent, goes back to veterans and service members.
“We are going to be continuing the adventure July 8, you will see the convoy passing through Dover-Foxcroft to Monson,” Chris Robinson said. He said a barbecue and celebration will take place outside the community center that Saturday before departing on the trek.
He said the 2017 hike should feature about a dozen participants — who all collect pledges for their journey — and the plan is for the group to be joined by members of the Canadian armed forces.
“We finish on the 10th day at the top of Mount Katahdin,” he said as a ceremony is held at the highest point in the state. Robinson said the theme for the fourth annual Wilderness Walk for Warriors is “Miles of Memories,” and each participant will be carrying a flag featuring the depiction of a service member killed in action.
The 40 food baskets Robinson said are just one example of how the organization gives back. He said a homebound Vietnam-era veteran in Milo had a wheelchair ramp constructed at his home through Wilderness Walk for Warriors.
“Sometimes they are big things and sometimes they are little things,” he said, mentioning that one Maine veteran received financial assistance to help him not fall behind on his house payments.
Robinson said in two weeks about 75 food bags will be distributed in Mars Hill “and then I’m going to be doing an event in Calais.” He said some fund-raising road races are scheduled in Houlton.
“I had an epiphany in the fall of 2013,” Robinson said. While hiking at Chimney Pond he realized how he could give back to those who have served through his love of the outdoors. “I called my brother and asked what do you think and he said ‘let’s start this organization.’”
During the Wilderness Walk for Warriors, Robinson said word of what the hikers are doing has traveled up and down the trail. “We have had people give cash donations on the trail to us,” he said. “It makes you feel good when you are out there hiking.”
“The organization really depends on individual support, so for showing up and giving us support we thank you for that,” Robinson told the attendees on Saturday.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
WILDERNESS WALK FOR WARRIORS — Wilderness Walk for Warriors Founder Chris Robinson, standing left, speaks about the organization’s fourth annual hike from Monson to the summit of Mount Katahdin in July during a presentation on March 11 at American Legion Post 29 in Dover-Foxcroft. The hike raises funds to help the organization give back to veterans, service members and their families, which included the distribution of 40 food bags across the region on Saturday.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED — Forty food bags, filled with five days of meals, were distributed to area veterans and families by the region’s American Legion Posts. The items, purchased at discount from Will’s Shop ‘n Save in Dover-Foxcroft, were funded by the Wilderness Walk for Warriors.