Final leg of PA Hero Walk supporting veterans to march through region

Area residents can show their support for local veterans by greeting or joining members of the PA Hero Walk as they complete the final leg of their 14th annual trek across the state this weekend.

The half-dozen veterans accompanied by two drivers started their trip at 8 a.m. June 12 at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

Most of the 14-day journey is spent following Route 30, which is the historic Forbes Road built during the French and Indian War and named for Brig. Gen. John Forbes.

Sponsorships and donations for their efforts are collected to help veterans from any era who are registered with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with housing, food, clothing, home and vehicle repairs, purchasing appliances, making utility payments, and other expenses.

Last year’s walk raised about $300,000 to help needy veterans, but organizers say donations are down this year.

“Each year, we are one more year removed from a war, and it seems like it can be easy for people to forget the sacrifice our veterans have made,” said Dave Rapacchietta, a spokesman for the nonprofit PA Hero Walk organization. “Our goal is to walk across the state as a way to remind people that there still is a great need to be filled for so many of our veterans.”

Rapacchietta said he is hoping that, even in this tight economy, people will be able to help support those who have served.

Residents in the Ligonier area will be the first to get a chance to greet the walkers when they arrive at American Legion Post 267 along Kelly Street at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday, the group will leave Ligonier at 8 a.m. and arrive at the Derry Fraternal Order of the Eagles Aerie 1612 at 11:30 a.m. before heading to Blairsville Veterans Memorial Park on West Market Street for a 3:35 p.m. scheduled arrival.

The group will arrive at VFW Post 5821 on Route 22 in Blairsville at 6 p.m. for dinner.

Friday’s trek will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Sheetz store in Blairsville with a scheduled arrival at the VFD in Saltsburg at 12:30 p.m.

The final leg of Friday’s trip will take them to American Legion Post 114 in Vandergrift at 7 p.m.

The volunteers will wrap up this year’s walk Saturday with an 8-mile trip from the Allegheny Township War Memorial along Towne Center Drive and make their way to an 11:30 a.m. arrival at VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell.

“It would just be wonderful to have people come out to meet us and maybe join in as we bring this year’s event to a conclusion,” Rapacchietta said.