WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, Vt. — David Roberts was on the back end of a 16-mile walk when he began the climb up Hartford, Vermont’s VA Cutoff Road. Staff and veterans alike waited outside the Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in White River Junction with flags and gratitude. Roberts, a Marine veteran set out to walk 90 miles to raise funds for the families left behind after fellow Marines and their loved ones were tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on June 21.
When Roberts heard about the seven people, many of them Marine veterans, killed in a horrific motorcycle accident his heart instantly ached. Like many, he wanted to help ease the burden placed on their families and loved ones. “I didn’t know how I could help.” explains Roberts, who had just received spinal surgery, “when Marines go down the urge to step up and help is just natural.”
Roberts explains that the Marine Corps is his family and even though his dream to be “a career Marine was cut short” after suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the connection with other Marines is still strong. “Once a Marine, always a Marine. Oorah!”
On June 27, Roberts decided the best way he could help was to raise awareness through the only thing he is able to do since surgery, walking. He looked at the route planned for a motorcycle ride to benefit the victims and found that it was 90 miles. Roberts is not able to drive a motorcycle; instead he vowed to walk as much as his body would allow each day until he reached a total of 90 miles.
On Monday morning he called White River Junction VA Medical Center saying he was about to walk on campus in an effort to get the message out that the VA has been there supporting him, and the survivors of the accident, cope with what has happened. In a Facebook post Roberts wrote, “As I passed through the VA that has offered support and prayers to victims and their families, I was greeted by a line of veterans, employees, and friends as they cheered and waved their flags back at mine.”
“We’re so proud of Dave for what he’s doing,” Becky Rhoads, associate director at the White River Junction VA Medical Center said. “Channeling his energy into this symbolic walk in the wake of such a devastating event. Dave is well known around the medical center and the staff was happy to have the chance to show their support for him with cheers, high-fives, and smiles. We are honored to be part of his journey.”
On July 1 Roberts walked three miles for each victim – a total of 21 miles. Since starting his journey four days prior, he has walked over 68 miles in honor of the fallen seven.
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