By Jay Sowers

The Selma Times-Journal

 

On the 10-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Virginia resident Mac McQuown left his home and his life behind and set out on a journey to remember American military veterans.

McQuown, himself a veteran of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, said he had been alarmed by how fast American veterans were forgotten by the public after returning from the battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq, and he wanted to do something turn the attention of the public back to those who serve so selflessly.

After much thought and prayer, McQuown decided he should don his military fatigues, carry an American flag, and walk to the capital of every state in the union.

“It occurred to me that every state produces veterans,” McQuown said. “So what better way to bring attention back to our veterans than to walk to the capital steps of all 50 states.”

As he walks across the countryside, McQuown said he hopes to draw well-deserved attention to all veterans, past and present.

“I always wear a uniform, because I want to show my support for the military. I want to honor all veterans, men and women, young and old,” McQuown said.

After nearly two years on the road, McQuown has walked through nine states and seen eight capitals.

Friday, he arrived in Selma, where he will stay for a few days before next walking west to the capitals of Mississippi and Louisiana.

After crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge Friday, McQuown had logged 2,392 miles, and only has a little over 13,000 miles to go before the journey is complete.

Even now, as he carries his fourth American flag and marches in his sixth pair of boots since leaving home, McQuown said the support he has received from people he has met along the way has given him strength as he continues his work.

“I’ve not met a stranger yet on this walk,” he said.

To reach McQuown on his journey, he said anyone is welcome to reach him via phone or email at anytime. His cell phone number is (352) 210-6836, and his email address is mac@baldmanwalking.com.