Walk for wounded veterans stops by Foxboro and RI

November 17, 2015 5:44 pm

By Alana Cerrone

acerrone@abc6.com

@Alana_Cerrone

"We’ve been there…you walk down the streets of Iraq…the nicest guy in the world is standing right here…and the guy that’s gonna kill you is standing right on the side of him."

USMC Sgt. David Pierce, Jr., remembers what it was like at war.

He also remembers what it was like coming back home. Like many others, he refused the help he needed.

He took the necessary steps to get back on track, and now he’s taking those steps – literally – to help others.

“I’ve lost more of my brothers to suicide after combat than I have in the actual fight.”

It’s called ‘The Wounded Walk’. This one goes from Maine to Connecticut. Pierce and three other veterans will walk to raise awareness and money along the way.

They started this leg of their 300-mile journey through New England here at Gillette Stadium before hitting multiple places in Rhode Island and finally finishing off in Connecticut.

"I met a girl whose father served in Afghanistan. He was killed there .She said…thank you for walking for those who can’t anymore.”

Stories like hers keep these veterans going when the going gets tough.

"Sore feet nation!"

This New England mission may be close to the finish line, but he says the war on ISIS is one that we’re not ready for.

"When we pull out it gives these radical Islamists time to train, and regroup. It’s a war that the everyday civilian is not ready for. You need to stand up…hold your ground…and protect this country."

Now once this walk ends in Connecticut, it’s not over. They do walks all across the country, even through the Mojave Desert, to raise awareness and money. For more information on ‘The Wounded Walk’, visit their website here.