OIF Veterans to Trek from Milwaukee to Los Angeles

Starting Aug. 30, 2013, two Iraq War veterans will walk from Milwaukee, Wis. to Los Angeles–a distance of 2,700 miles–in order to raise funds and awareness for veterans diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) and others. Other challenges faced by U.S. military veterans and their families include homelessness, unemployment, and suicide.

Funds raised will benefit Dryhootch of America, a Milwaukee-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that promotes alcohol-free coffee-shop social centers, and peer counseling programs for U.S. military veterans. The trekking veterans have set their target high: $100,000.

Anthony Anderson was a member of the Wisconsin National Guard from 2002-2008. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 with the Louisiana National Guard's 256th Brigade, and in again in 2007 with Wisconsin's 105th Cavalry Regiment.

Tom Voss served in the active-duty Army from 2003-2006. He deployed to Iraq in 2004 with 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment (3-21 Inf.), an element of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division  "Tropic Lightning" Division (1-25 Inf.).

To cover costs, the two walkers are seeking to raise a start-up amount of $5,000 via crowd-funding website Indiegogo here. A video describing their "Veterans Trek" project is here.

Anderson and Voss invite other veterans and supporters to walk with them through towns along the way. In Iowa, the walking route will go through the towns of Dubuque, Farley, Dyersville, Earlville, Manchester, Winthrop, Independence, Jesup, Waterloo, Marshalltown, Des Moines, Adel, Stuart, Anita, Atlantic, Hancock, and Council Bluffs.

Visit the Veterans Trek website here and Facebook page here.

For more information on Dryhootch of America, visit the organization's website or Facebook page.