MONSON, Maine — A team of 10 hikers will embark on a 118-mile trek through what is known as Maine’s “100 mile wilderness” trail in honor of our countries fallen heroes. This year’s hike is aptly called the ‘Heroes Hike’ and has expanded to include and honor Maine’s fallen service members as well as fallen first responders (fire fighters and law enforcement).
The Wilderness Walk for Warriors, founded in 2014 is comprised of dedicated volunteers, fundraising to assist veterans, service members and their families, as well as honoring fallen heroes. The hike, now in its second year, serves as a major fundraiser for the organization, which uses 100 percent of all monies raised to assist local veterans and service members in need.
The hikers will depart from Monson on July 11th with the anticipated summit on Katahdin on July 20th.
This event has quickly gained a huge following, with an incredible amount of support from donors and followers alike. Event founder Chris Robinson attributes the interest and success of the hike and fundraiser to the dedication and hard work of the organizers and volunteers. “The team and event have been successful because of the hard work that my brother, Tim Robinson (co-founder), his wife Danette (Administrative Secretary) and I have put in organizing it. Also as we explain what we are doing, many groups and hundreds of people have jumped in to help out. These are too numerous to mention”. The Wilderness Walk for Warriors began as an epiphany of sorts. Robinson explains while taking a random solo hike to Chimney Pond in Baxter Park, “it just came to me”. He had a clear vision of what it was he wanted to do and let the idea “formulate” in his mind that night and called his brother Tim “the very next day”. Robinson said from the vision to the execution of the first annual hike, the event was planned and took place within 9 months. This first event rose over $10,000.00, enough funding to allow for the group to assist 190 Maine Veterans! An incredible feat even Robinson is amazed by. “I feel blessed to be in good enough health to participate but more importantly, I know that we are actually helping out Veterans and service members in need”. The organization has assisted Veterans, service members and their families with everything from holiday baskets, to the purchase of a wheel chair. They have also provided monetary assistance to help relieve the financial burden of Veterans facing serious medical treatments or hardships.
Each team member will be gathering pledge support on a flat or mile hiked basis. Team members will not only be fundraising, but also hiking for a hero. The 2015 Heroes Hike team and honorees include: Team Founder, Chris Robinson of Benedicta who will be carrying items to honor two heroes. He will carry the Summit Project stone of Spc. Dustin Harris who was killed on April 6, 2006 in Bayji, Iraq. Spc. Harris was from Patten and attended Katahdin High School. Robinson attended high school with Dustin’s mother and uncle.
Robinson will also honor Capt. Craig Feeney of the Cranston, Rhode Island Fire Department. Feeney who lost his battle with “occupational” cancer in June of 2013, attended the University of Maine at Fort Kent and was a Kappa Delta Phi fraternity brother and personal friend of Robinson’s and also of team member Donald Eno. Robinson will carry some personal effects including an urn of Feeney’s ashes which will be scattered when the team reaches the summit of Katahdin.
Team Co-founder Tim Robinson, a sergeant in the Maine National Guard, will have the honor of carrying the Call Sign 326 memorial flag of officer Jeffery Parola of the Maine State Police. Officer Parola died in the line of duty while responding to a domestic call on Nov. 13, 1994. Jeffrey’s father John is entrusting Tim to carry Jeff’s flag to honor his memory.
Donald Eno, team photographer and reporter, who is also a Fraternity brother of founder Robinson and honoree Feeney will be carrying the Summit Project stone of Sgt. 1st Class Aaron A. Henderson. Henderson was from Houlton and died in Zombalay Village in Afghanistan. Eno will also be carrying the radio belt that belonged to Roy Ouellette, a firefighter from the North Lakes Fire and Rescue.
Team member Jeffery Bishop, Maine National Guard and member of the Freedom Volunteer Fire Department will be hiking in the honor of his grandfather Alton Stubbs and will carry an ammo pouch which belonged to him. Stubbs was drafted in to the United States Army in 1944 and participated in the push in to Germany during World War II.
Andrew Bell, team member and Full Time Army National Guard will carry the Summit Project stone of Army Staff Sgt. Brandon M. Silk. Silk who was a native or Orono, died in service near Gaza Ridge in Afghanistan. Silk was a friend of Bell’s brother.
Team member Donny Rafford, helicopter pilot/officer Maine Army National Guard will honor Marine Maj. Jay T. Aubin. Maj. Aubin was killed in a helicopter crash in Kuwait. Rafford will carry Major Aubin’s Summit Project stone. Major Aubin was from Waterville and was also the godfather to Rafford’s best friend.
Barbara Lovely, team member, EMT, will be hiking in the honor of Army Sgt. Joel A. House. Sgt. House was from Lee and was killed in Taji, Iraq in June of 2007. Lovely will be carrying his Summit Project stone.
Full-time Maine Air National Guard and team member Chris Stafford will be carrying personal items that belonged to his close friend Army Staff Sgt. Jessica Wing. Sgt. Wing died in Kuwait City, Kuwait. It is with great honor for Stafford to carry these items on Jessica’s behalf.
Nathaniel Sturgis, team member and full time Maine Army National Guardsmen will be honoring his friend and Battalion brother Maine Army National Guard Spc. Christopher D. Gelineau. Sgt. Gelineau served in the same Battalion as Sturgis, 133rd Engineer Battalion. Gelineau who was from Portland was killed in Mosul, Iraq. Sturgis will carry his Summit Project stone to honor him.
U.S. Navy veteran Joshua Blaine will also be hiking as a 2015 team member.
A pre-hike celebration will take place in Monson on the morning of July 11th beginning with an escort starting at the Maine Army National Guard Base in Bangor at 8 a.m. and ending at the Community Center in Monson. Numerous patriotic motorcycle groups have been asked to show their support and join the escort as the team travels from Bangor to Monson.
Once in Monson, the celebration continues with a ceremony honoring the heroes for whom the Wilderness Walk for Warriors team are hiking for. The festivities will include the Presentation of the Colors, an Army Chaplain Prayer, The National Anthem, introductions and guest speakers. Patriotic Bag Pipers will honor the fallen. There will be live entertainment, “give-away” items and door prizes including a flight for five donated by the Penobscot Island Tours. There will also be raffle fundraisers for an additional flight, a patriotic quilt made by a Goldstar Mom and a 50/50 raffle along with a barbecue lunch. There will be a $5 fee for the escort ride and a $5 fee for the barbeque. All of the monies collected will go to assist Maine veterans and service members.
The Wilderness Walk for Warriors is a local, non-profit group whose motto is “For Them. Assisting the Living and Honoring the Deceased.” All hikers will accept donations and donations are welcomed by the organization year-round. To learn more about the Wilderness Walk for Warriors visit and “like” them on their Facebook site (Wilderness Walk for Warriors) or contact founder Chris Robinson at 207-227-8457 or co-founder Tim Robinson at 207-356-1998.
Author’s note: Capt. Craig Feeney was my brother who lost his life to multiple myeloma on June 21, 2013 at the age of 48. He was a true hero by vocation and also to me and to all who knew him. ‘Occupational’ cancer is a serious threat to firefighters which has often been overlooked. Thankfully this occupational danger is now being recognized and addressed to better protect those who spend their lives protecting us.
