Marathon Pundit: Local hero: Illinois Vietnam vet to walk state to raise money for fellow vets

Fort Defiance

A Hoffman Estates, Illinois hero has already raised over $17,000 in pledges for Vietnam Veterans of America as he walks across the Land of Lincoln.

From the Southern Illinoisan:

Vietnam veteran William Trow is filling two desires with a single act.

He has always wanted to hike the north-south length of Illinois. And he has long wanted to help other veterans who have experienced difficult times since returning home.

"It's finally here. I'm champing at the bit," Trow said with a laugh Saturday as he was joined by other veterans at Italian Village in Carbondale.

Today, the 67-year-old veteran, who served with the U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from 1969-70, is departing by foot from Fort Defiance Park near Cairo, the southernmost point of the state. He will walk to Pulaski on U.S. 51, a distance of 24 miles.