Marine's walk for DAV worth $180,000, so far

He's marching for disabled veterans
Retired Marine Richard Hunsucker is on a 2,650-mile journey across the country
By JENNIFER LATSON
HOUSTON CHRONICLE
Jan. 17, 2010, 10:52PM


As marathon runners began their 26-mile tour of Houston on Sunday morning, Richard Hunsucker set out on a quieter trek of his own, east of the city.

A few miles outside Liberty, Hunsucker pulled on a no-frills pair of white Nikes and hoisted a flagpole over his right shoulder. Then he set out on Highway 90 for a 17-mile leg of his 2,650-mile journey.

Hunsucker, a 52-year-old ironworker and retired Marine from Green Bay, Wis., is walking across the southern United States to raise money for disabled veterans. He started in Jacksonville on Veterans Day and expects to finish in San Diego on Memorial Day.

Lunchtime on day 68 found him crossing the Trinity River in Liberty, 849 miles down and 1,801 to go. The bridge rumbled underfoot as traffic hurtled past at 70 mph. Wearing jeans and a red Marine Corps T-shirt over white long underwear, Hunsucker marched at a determined pace along the shoulder. The blue Disabled American Veterans flag whipped in the wind. A trio of motorcyclists waved as they passed.

Hunsucker came late to Vietnam, serving with the Marines from 1974 to 1976 in Okinawa, which had been a key American staging point in the Vietnam War. His older brother served in the war, as did several of his friends. Helping veterans is a cause close to his heart.

The flag draws curiosity and offers of help. Benefactors have given him regular meals and occasional offers of shelter for the night. Above all, they've given donations to his cause, the nonprofit organization Disabled American Veterans. He's gotten $180,000 in pledges so far, he said.

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