Veteran walks 100 miles over last week to raise funds for Wounded Warrior Project

Aug. 8--Jerry Meadows walked into the city limits of Aberdeen Wednesday bloodied, blistered, burnt and swollen, but the 61-year-old Air Force veteran wouldn't have it any other way as long as he gets the word out about what the Wounded Warrior Project can do for veterans and their families.

That and raise $3,000 for the veteran organization, which offers a range of programs and services for veterans, service members and their families who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness or wound while serving in the military on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

The hot temperatures and burning sun was punishing on the Air Force veteran's body, but Meadows said the difficulty of the walk provided a way for him to relate to his fellow soldiers who are currently deployed in even harsher conditions.

"When I'm out there, I mentally flag out. That's why I say keep your eyes on the horizon and don't look back," Meadows said, adding that he'd often go 7 miles before his wife would have to remind him he needed a drink of water.

Meadows' wife, Virginia Miller, follows behind him in her Jeep, flying American and Wounded Warrior flags.

"But the motivator is I get interrupted a lot. It gives me motivation, but I'm not doing it for the credit," he said.

Throughout his journey through northeastern South Dakota, Meadows kept motivated by the honks of passerbys and most importantly of all, his fellow veterans he met along the way. Meadows showed picture after picture of the veterans he met over the last week. The camaraderie between Meadows and the men alongside him in the photos was obvious.

Meadows' walk is about bringing awareness to and raising funds for the Wounded Warriors Project, so wounded soldiers and veterans have help adjusting.

"You don't have to do it the way you used to, but you can still do it, you'll just have to do it differently," he said of adjusting back to day-to-day life.

"The Wounded Warrior Project is the only organization out there that is not just for the veteran, they take care of the family, too," Meadows said Wednesday afternoon while he was taking a much-needed rest at the Super 8 in Aberdeen.

"We started July 31 for this 100-mile stretch. I did one this year earlier which was 210 miles, but this is where I retire," Meadows said, gesturing toward his oxygen tank that has also accompanied him on his walks. "I can't go on because of my health. That doesn't mean my heart is still not there. But boy do I have an ass chewing waiting for me from my doctor when I get back. Once he saw the newspaper when I left, he sent me a text in all capital letters telling me he wanted to see me in his office, but in small print he wrote 'I hope you make it.'"

Meadows made sure to stress that if it weren't for his wife of nearly three decades, he wouldn't have been able to make it very far.

He then shifted to a more lighthearted tone and recounted her driving performance at the start of his walk from Sisseton.

"She went 10 miles and she did perfect. The distance was just awesome behind me. Ten miles at 1.5 miles per hour -- the average walking pace. You would think she would have it together. And what does she do? She hits a mailbox," Meadows said.

His smile was met with a smirk from Miller, who jokingly shrugged and said, "I hit you, too."

All jokes aside, Meadows had only raised $1,500 as of Wednesday afternoon, which is half of his goal. But, within hours of meeting Meadows, a $3,000 donation had been posted on his fundraising site. That put him over his goal of raising $10,000 on his combined walks.

Meadows called the headquarters of the Wounded Warrior Project to dispel any doubts that his fundraising effort was a scam. The organization confirmed that Meadows was indeed acting as a third party fundraiser in which 100 percent of all donations would be given to the organization.

Those wishing to donate to Meadows' fundraising can call him at 701-403-4993 or visit his website at https://bit.ly/2yLImYI.

Follow @smarvel_AAN on Twitter.

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