Walk4Vets Across America
Note: I am not affiliated with “Stand Down” but, promote their efforts thru this CBS video because it best represents what is befalling our nation’s homeless sons and daughters across America!
Why Am I Doing This:
I am an American father of five sons as well as the the proud son of a real life American hero, my own father, Kenneth J. Bateman – U.S. Army Air Corp. I am now in my early 50′s and free to fulfill a lifelong dream, that of hiking my beloved United States of America!
In this season of my life – I want to “pay forward” what tens of thousands of United States Military Veterans did for me and my family over the last 35 years. These unknown patriots paid with their lives, their limbs and their emotional well being for all of us. Sadly, these same American “heroes” are finding it increasingly difficult transitioning from military to civilian life.
Our sons and daughters are returning home with little prospect of full-time employment all the while enduring emotional, physical and moral scars alone – outside the arms, hearts and eyes of typical American family life.
What to do? Though I am only one father – I can do something at the grass roots level. I was raised believing that God, country and home were worth fighting for! I still do and so do many, many others. I love my country. I love my neighbor. And, despite its many flaws – I am thankful that my God saw fit to have me born within our nation’s borders.
There is something else on my heart and mind too. I sense that we Americans are becoming discouraged. We seem to be losing our sense of who we are and what we represent as a country, people and as neighbors to one another. My heart aches for my country. I sense a darkeing disdain for anything America – that it is no longer “cool” to place our hands over our hearts and sing the “National Anthem”, recite the “Pledge of Allegiance” word for word or wave our own country’s flag in public.
I am only one American man but, by God’s grace, I have made the decision to do something. My country needs me… and you!
Many years ago, I attended Kelloggsville High School in Wyoming, Michigan. It was in those hallowed halls that I first heard a phrase that, to this day, has remained deeply rooted in my patriotic conscience:
“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.”
Homeless Veterans:
They are called, “Homeless Veterans”. On any given night, our sons and daughters – an estimated 131,000 United States Veterans – sleep on the streets of our cities. This is a national blight that has existed for a very long time.
Research has suggested that Korean/Vietnam era victims became “homeless” somewhere between 2-4 years after returning stateside. Today’s veterans become “homeless” within six months. Between now and the next two years, our country will have more than 4 million men and women soldiers facing this reality as they too, become faced with “homelessness.”
Our heroes defended our freedom to raise our families in safety so that we could work, play and even worship without persecution. They stood in the gap for our families and defended our homes with their lives, limb and faith. Now, it is our turn to “stand in the gap” for them!
Goal:
A.) I will be creating a pictorial journal of United States Military Veterans I meet along the highways and byways of America – retelling their war stories as a historical heritage for future generations of American Citizens.
B.) Wherever I am allowed, I must proclaim the hope and message of our nation’s forefathers – my faith in the very God who ordained our great country more than two centuries earlier and His call for individual and national repentance.
C.) Walk approximately 5,000 miles from coast to coast (Florida’s Atlantic Treasure Coast to the shorelines of the Pacific Northwest.) – by Thanksgiving Day” weekend.
“When soldiers pass away, it is as though a library has burnt to the ground. No one can go back and read their books anymore.” ~ William Bateman
Need of Support:
Any donations are greatly appreciated. I will be walking from the Pacific to the Atlantic Oceans. I need lightweight equipment (poles, shoes, backpack, tent, bag, micro-stove, socks, wicking shirts, shorts, park fees, food and shelter, camera, recorder, cellphone with text AND FOOD) – enough to cover 13 states and more nearly 5,000 miles of walking America’s highways.
“When one decides to put feet to his idea – his or hers first few steps are usually taken alone.” ~ William Cody Bateman
Twitter Account: http://twitter.com/leaderspeakUSA
The USA PATRIOT Act is a federal law that requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens an account. What this means for you the donor? You are making a financial contribution to a real live person, a citizen of these United States and I am your neighbor – thank you! Sincerely, William Bateman – founder of the Walk4Vets 5,000 mile walk across America project!
