When the Sun spoke to 25-year-old Austin Shirley, he was taking shade under a makeshift awning, somewhere outside of Palm Springs, Calif.
Shirley, his Siberian husky Archer, and companion Bryan Cochran were waiting for the weather to cool before continuing on their journey.
The idea for this trek struck Shirley while he was in college, fresh out of his four-year service in the Navy.
“I really wasn’t happy and was looking for more in my life,” Shirley said. “I just decided to start walking, and then I thought it would be awesome to turn it into a fundraiser.”
Two nights before he departed for his cross-country walk, Shirley sent 10 emails to dozens of nonprofits. Only Jason Redman of the Wounded Wear project responded to him, proclaiming enthusiasm for the idea.
Shirley said Wounded Wear was started by Redman, a Navy Seal of 20 years, who was severely wounded during service.
“After he recovered, he and his wife began helping injured soldiers make the transition back to life and help them with what they need after a life-altering event,” Shirley said.
Wounded Wear helps provide modified clothing for veterans with amputations. It also takes wounded warriors on adventure trips, like skydiving. With all this in mind, Shirley decided to make the 2,500-mile walk from Jacksonville, Fla., to San Diego. Shirley said they’re attempting to raise $50,000.
They’ve raised $36,569 so far and have covered more than 2,000 miles.
“Everywhere we go, we’re talking to people,” Shirley said. “Whenever I walk through cities where people I served with live, they thank us for bringing awareness and motivating others.”
Shirley said this walk has shown him there are more veterans in need than he thought.
“I would definitely like to get them more connected with each other and see that as something we are going to achieve in the future,” he said.
Archer and Shirley took on another member for their walk in Louisiana; Cochran and Shirley had served together and were long-time friends. Cochran was living in a veterans shelter when he left everything behind to join Shirley.
Together, the three have been making their way across the country and made an appearance in Santa Barbara on May 31. The trio said they tried to average about 25 miles a day, spending most of the time walking at night when it was cooler.
Shirley said there have been some challenges traveling through winter, and keeping their bodies healthy despite the conditions.
“Doing a hike like this, I had to have deep motivation to stick it out,” Shirley said. “But I can’t give up when I’m doing this to help my brothers and sisters; they didn’t quit on us, so I wont quit on them.”
Despite the challenges, Shirley said the time on the road has given him time to reflect and regain his sense of responsibility.
“Having been in the military, I have a passion for veterans that has been passed down through my family,” Shirley said. “I like to see veterans getting help, and who better than me to help them?”
This article appears in Jun 12-19, 2014.