Excerpts from article published in San Diego Union-Tribune on 9/2/2015:
On March 1, a Marine set out to walk across the continent to raise money for his comrades injured in combat. Nearly six months and more than 3,000 miles after leaving Charlotte, North Carolina, Gunnery Sergeant Roy Wesley “Wes” Brady, Jr. walked up to the main gate at Camp Pendleton on Thursday, August 27. The retired Marine veteran went through thunderstorms, flooded roads and the heat of summer, wearing out three pairs of shoes to put in his support for the Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge, a nonprofit that helps injured veterans.
“It was more of a mental challenge,” Brady said. “When you’re mentally strong you can get through anything.” He hiked through Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and finally California, carrying a 60-pound backpack with the Marine Corps flag wrapped around it. When Brady went through tough parts of his cross-country “Walk for Warriors,” he kept thinking about why he was doing it. “I’d think about those who couldn’t do this,” he said.
After Brady retired two years ago, he set his mind on doing something to give back to fellow Marines and other military members. The 22-year-Marine infantry veteran took on the effort to help pay for the nonprofit’s expeditions that challenge wounded veterans to build confidence and reach their potential. The nonprofit based in Tarpon Springs, Florida, also supports research to treat physical, neurological and psychological injuries, such as loss of limbs, post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury. Its mission is focused primarily on orthotics and prosthetics along with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury research and case studies done during expeditions.
Brady, whose duty included two deployments to Iraq, wants to raise $35,000 for one of the nonprofit’s newest programs, the Adaptive Warrior Sailing Boot Camp for Novices in Galveston, Texas. The program involves 15 combat injured service members who learn how to sail 3-man boats and compete in a regatta. At the camp, the veterans participate in medical case studies on traumatic brain injuries, post-traumatic stress disorders and prosthetics. In response to questions about the rigors of the journey, Brady said he was well trained, ”It’s in my blood.”
“Gunny Sergeant Roy Brady is a selfless individual who walked for our military over 3,000 miles...he made me proud to be an American,” said Sandee Murphy, Director of Hugs Oceanside Elks #1561, an effort that sends care packages to deployed troops. Murphy was among area residents who gathered at the Vista American Legion for a welcoming reception for Brady.
From website of Combat Wounded Veteran Challenge about GYSGT Roy Wesley Brady, Jr., USMC (RET):
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, Brady joined the Marines in 1991. He completed basic training at Parris Island and graduated from Security Forces School. In 1996, Corporal Brady was transferred to FMF 1st Battalion 3rd Marines Charlie Company Kaneohe, Hawaii, serving in billets as Team Leader and Squad leader. He participated in Operation Pacific Heaven (Guam), plus two 7 month deployments to Okinawa, Japan, achieving the rank of Sergeant. Staff Sergeant Brady in 2004, received orders to 3rd Marine Air Wing Okinawa, Japan, as unit 152 Training Chief. He also participated in the Humanitarian Assistance (Philippines) Task Force 535. Roy was assigned as an Individual augmentee to the Republic of Georgia in 2004 for Sustainment & Stability Operations Program, training the Georgian Army in ground and mobile tactics for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, Brady participated in Iraqi Freedom 2006/09/15-2007/04/10. He served a second tour of duty for Iraqi Freedom 2008/02/04-2008/08/28 and later attained the rank of Company Gunnery Sergeant with the 3rd Marine Regiment. Gunnery Sergeant Brady retired from the Marine Corps on August 31, 2013.
Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)
