Texas A&M University students Sebastian Brown and Hunter Birt along with two other Aggies in the Corps of Cadets raised $5,200 for veterans and their families by walking from Texas to California over 13 days during winter break. (Hunter Birt)
“We cannot emphasize enough that any pain or suffering that we may have endured was in honor of those that have given everything for this country,” Birt said. “The focus of this project is solely intended to spread awareness of the hardships that are faced by the families of the deceased rather than our own hardships.”
Birt said when they weren’t sleeping in vehicles, they relied on friends for lodging along the way. He said the support they received from friends and strangers alike powered them through the trip.
“Something that was inspirational was the support that many people gave to the cause,” Birt said. “It was especially gratifying to see that Americans were coming together to support those in need. The beauty of humanity and unification is what truly inspired us to keep going.”
Birt, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Fort Worth, Texas; Brown, a junior industrial distribution major from Minnetonka, Minnesota; Rogers, a sophomore entomology/electrical engineering major from Kennesaw, Georgia; and Morrow, a sophomore history major from North Zulch, Texas, have returned to campus for classes, which began Jan. 16.
According to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation website, the organization ensures full financial assistance for a post-secondary degree from an accredited two or four-year college, university, technical, or trade school; and offers family and educational counseling, including in-home tutoring, to the surviving children of Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps special operations personnel who lose their lives in the line of duty.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to severely wounded and hospitalized special operations personnel.
Those who are interested in contributing to the group’s fundraiser can do so through their webpage until Jan. 20 Visit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation to learn more about the organization.
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Media contact: Sam Peshek, 979-845-4680, sam.peshek@tamu.edu.