14th PA Hero Walk for veterans in need ends statewide trek in Lower Burrell

Spending two weeks walking across the state for the 14th annual PA Hero Walk gives you plenty of time to think, said Travis Reesman after he and five other military veterans were met by an honor guard at the Lower Burrell VFW on Saturday.

But the 28-year-old from Kittanning said his focus during the more than 300 mile trek that started on June 12 at the Philadelphia Art Museum wasn’t on the soaring heat or the pain of grinding it out mile after mile on foot.

He said he tried to pass the hours focusing on the veterans who will benefit from his small sacrifice.

“While I’m out on the road walking, I try to think about all the veterans who are struggling,” said Reesman, who joined his father for the walk in 2019.

“I come from a military family and know that there a lot of veterans out there who need help. This is one way to raise awareness and assist veterans with some of the things they need. It’s my favorite two weeks out of the year.”

The final leg of the journey on Saturday was an 8-mile trip from the Allegheny Township War Memorial along Towne Center Drive to VFW Post 92 in Lower Burrell.

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

Money is raised from sponsors and individual donations 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, education, funerals and other expenses.

Fundraisers are held by veteran and fraternal organization across the state throughout the year and donated to the PA Hero Walk when they pass through, said Dave Rapacchietta, a spokesman for the nonprofit organization founded in 2009.

“Our walk covers 12 counties and, in each of them, we are greeted by members of Veterans of Foreign War and American Legion as well as Elks and Eagle clubs who provide us with a meal and most importantly, a check from the fundraisers they’ve been having during the year,” he said.

Rapacchietta said this year’s goal is to raise $60,000 to benefit needy veterans.

In addition to donating by Paypal, money can be contributed by sending a check to: PA Hero Walk, P.O. Box 343 Kittanning, PA 16201.

John Manocchi, 44, of Vandergrift, joined the PA Hero Walk in 2009 and has tried to increase his level of participation each year.

“I started out doing pieces of it and just kept adding more each years,” he said.

He said the trek through the state’s hilly terrain “is really grueling and tough on the body” but is something he enjoys doing.

Manocchi, who works in housekeeping at the VA Medical Center in Pittsburgh, said he witnesses daily the difficulties some veterans face.

“There’s many veterans who are a lot worse off then me, so that’s why I got involved in doing this and why I’ll continue to do it as long as I can,’ he said.

In addition to Reesman, Manocchi and Rapacchietta, this year’s participants — six walkers and two drivers — were: Kenneth “Tucker” McCullough, Gregory McCullough and Rick Reesman of Kittanning; Gregg Bothell of Oklahoma; and Roger Phillips of Saltsburg.