14-day Pennsylvania Hero Walk ends in Lower Burrell

The rain never stopped but the soaked American flags still fluttered in the wind Saturday to welcome marchers at the end of the 320-mile PA Hero Walk at the Lower Burrell VFW Post 92.

The 14-day trek from Philadelphia to Lower Burrell raised awareness and money for veterans in need. Although originally aligned with the national Wounded Warrior Project, the walk now solely benefits Pennsylvania veterans.

While Saturday was only one of two days walkers were swamped with an all-day rain, they soldiered on, much like the heroes they honored.

The walkers with umbrellas were led by a Civil War re-enactor beating out a drum cadence and ended the walk with a reception attended by about 120 people at the Lower Burrell VFW.

As the 50 walkers shuffled in, some swapped dry T-shirts for the wet ones they wore for the final 10-mile leg of the walk that started at 7:30 Saturday morning at the Allegheny Township war memorial. Others opted for the last one-mile segment from the Lower Burrell Rite Aid.

Beth Curtis, 57, of Delmont put in 10 rain-soaked miles without question as she has done this before.

Her son, Corey Borello of Vandergrift, served in the Marines in Iraq six years ago.

“He came home safe and sound,” she said. “But other people come back with issues and needs, and we are here to help,” Curtis said.

This year, the seventh year of the walk, $250,000 was raised and will go to local veteran organizations such as Operation Homefront, Mechling-Shakley Veterans Center in Cowansville, Veterans Multi Service centers and others.

About 500 people walked along the route that touched at least 5,000 people who came to cheer them on or welcomed them with special receptions, according to Al Pulice, 59, of Murrysville, who founded the event and has mounted efforts to honor local soldiers killed in action.

Pulice was among a handful of people who completed the totality of the walk across the state, averaging 25 miles a day. And Pulice has the tan to prove it.

The best part of the walk was stopping at the small towns and meeting with veterans groups from all over, he said.

“We learned about some of the problems the vets have when they come back,” he said.

To help veterans throughout the state, Pulice said the money raised from the walk will focus on individuals with needs such as housing, food, transportation, home repairs, utility payment and other issues.

Vietnam War veteran Dave Schwab, 68, of Verona put in the final mile Saturday while in a wheelchair.

“I do this for the veterans and for people not to forget,” he said.

Schwab has been afflicted with a host of health problems since exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, he said, including a stroke and a heart attack, and has six stents in his heart, he said.

Pushing Schwab's wheelchair was Randy Lydzinski, 34, of Springdale, who served in the Navy and is commander of the American Legion Post 600 in Oakmont.

“For me, Dave is a Vietnam War vet, and it's an honor to push him,” he said.

Showing support is important these days, according to Lydzinski, “because there is a disconnect between the vets and civilians.”

While in the service, soldiers are used to the companionship and support of other soldiers. When soldiers come home, they don't always have that same support, he said, and camaraderie is crucial if they have an injury or an emotional issue.

“We have to take care of them because they took care of us,” Lydzinski said.

John Arce, 66, of Oakmont, another Vietnam War veteran, put it more bluntly.

“Freedom is not free,” he said.

Mary Ann Thomas is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.