Three Marines walk over 3,300 miles to raise awareness of POW/MIAs

On June 6, three Marine veterans embarked on a 3,365-mile walk from USS Constitution in Boston Harbor to Newport, Ore. Their mission: create awareness about the nation’s more than 81,000 POWs and MIAs, and to raise funds for History Flight, a nonprofit dedicated to researching, recovering and repatriating U.S. servicemembers.

For Justin “J.D.” LeHew, a highly decorated Marine and chief operating officer of History Flight, the journey reinforced “the principle of never leaving a fallen comrade behind, and that I am my brother and sister’s keeper.”

Called “Team Long Road,” LeHew, Coleman “Rocky” Kinzer and Ray Shinohara walked Highway 20, the Medal of Honor Highway. Along the way, they were celebrated by American Legion posts and members – especially in Oregon, their final leg.

Dan Burks, the department‘s second vice commander, greeted the team at the state line Nov. 18. National Auxiliary President Vickie Koutz and National Security Commission Director Mario Marquez joined them as they walked into Vale, where Past National Commander Charles Schmidt and his wife, Linda, gave a warm welcome.

“The rucksacks we carry represent the heavy burden carried by generations of warriors who have served in our nation’s ranks since 1775, as well as the weight of a nation ... to live up to the promise that we will never leave a fallen comrade behind, LeHew wrote.”

Team Long Road finished their journey the week of Christmas. Read more at teamlongroad.com.