VICTORVILLE ? A week after Sterling Cleveland made a stop in Victorville along his cross-country trek, Wayne Whitbeck and James Allred are camping out in the Victor Valley as they ruck across America.
Whitbeck was inspired to Ruck for a Cure after his father died battling cancer. Whitbeck said the motivation to walk across the country came his father?s battle.
?My father was my mentor and a month before he passed away, he was out there chopping a tree,? Whitbeck said. ?He told me, ?son, I?ll be dead in a month and I don?t want your mom to have to do this.? So his drive and determination and his whole life inspired me.?
After planning the trip for over a year, Whitbeck and his James Allred launched the Ruck for a Cure, a nonprofit organization to raise money for St. Jude Children?s Research Hospital.
The duo chose to ruck because of their Army-backgrounds, as they both served as drill sergeants at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
The two Army veterans left ?icy and rainy? conditions Myrtle Beach, S.C. on February 4 with the goal of reaching San Francisco on August 23.
Whitbeck said the journey has not been easy as they have trekked through three of the country?s four deserts, but it has been amazing.
Its been tough, but Whitbeck said they are happy they got to experience a cool summer night on their way to Victorville. Whitbeck and Allred will participate in the Mavericks Mud Run held in Adelanto on Saturday.
?Arizona?s weather ... was really hard to go out and get water because everything is far in between each other,? said Whitbeck, as he enjoyed a slice of pizza from Oggi?s in Apple Valley. ?It was nice to camp out and sleep and enjoy a cool summer night, prior to last night the coolest night in two months was 90 degrees.?
Allred whose mother battled colon cancer, was inspired by her fight in surpassing the cancer and other family members he has seen struggle with cancer.
The journey has been an adventure of a lifetime for Allred.
Allred said the inspirations and connections of people he met on the side of the road that donated money and gave him gifts will stick with him forever.
Along with rucking for a great cause, Whitbeck and Allred share another thing in common ? they can?t wait to get back to their loved ones.
Whitbeck is a San Francisco Giants fan and can?t wait to get back home and play baseball with his teenage son. Allred and Whitbeck will attend a baseball game at AT&T Park as the Giants host the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 24.
When the two get to San Francisco, they will end a 3,000 journey and be a step closer to finding a cure for cancer.
To follow their journey or to donate money visit www.ruckforacure.org.
Jose Quintero can be reached at 760-951-6232 or JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com.??
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Source: http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/vets-41526-victorville-army.html
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