Hero Walk across Pennsylvania kicks off to help veterans in need

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A special walk for military veterans kicked off Sunday morning at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. People taking part will log more than 300 miles as they raise money for Pennsylvania veterans in need.

It was a wet and rainy start for the PA Hero Walk, as more than half-dozen other military veterans gathered at the museum to get started on the walk across the commonwealth.

For the next two weeks, those veterans will lace up their shoes and walk about 20 miles a day.

"Each year, we walk across the state of Pennsylvania," explained Dave Rapacchietta. "We will start walking from this museum, west. So we'll hit multiple posts across Route 30 all the way back to Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania."

Over the last 13 years, officials said they raised more than $3 million to help veterans statewide.

"There's a lot of veterans out there that need help. They turned and went to every place they could possibly turn to and when they get to us we do everything in our power to assist them," Rapacchietta said. "They may be behind on rent. They may be behind on utilities. Some may need vehicle repairs."

"We're all fortunate, but there are actually veterans out there that really do need help," said Richard Reisman, taking part in his second Hero Walk. "This is why I do it, to help out my fellow veterans, brothers and sisters."

Rapacchietta admitted it's a tough trek, but said having his military brothers with him helps lighten the load, which gets to the heart of their mission.

"It's challenging to get out of the house and leave, but once we get in this motor home and close the door and drive over, I'm with my brothers for 14 days," he said.

"It's that camaraderie that we have that provides us the opportunity to do this."

Featured Image Photo Credit: Justin Udo/KYW Newsradio