Upstate Vietnam vet in Du Quoin during Illinois walk

The distance from Cairo in Southern Illinois to South Belot on the Illinois and Wisconsin border is 390 miles.

Vietnam veteran Bill Trow,68, of Hoffman Estates, Ill. won't accept rides and he won't accept cash donations as he walks every single mile of it to bring awareness to the organization Vietnam Veterans of America.

The organization has no paid officers. No golf course memberships. No bogus shell organizations. Every available dollar goes to help Vietnam veterans and their families. All of the work is done by volunteers.

"The story isn't about me," says Trow, who refers passersby to his email w.trow@comcast.net. When he finishes his walk on or about Aug. 9 he will begin responding to the emails and tell you how to go about making your pledge.

"I have always wanted to do this and told myself after my retirement I would do it," said Trow, a retired construction estimator. He took the train to Carbondale, got a ride to Cairo , then started walking north. A 32-pound backpack carries his supplies.

Trow served in the United States Army in Vietnam for one year between June 1969 and June 1970.

He and wife Marie have three children and one grandchild.

Du Quoin city administrator Brad Myers--a retired veteran--is his local sponsor. Trow was guest of the Du Quoin Fire Department overnight before heading north again today. "I was hoping to get $10,000 in pledges he said. That number hit $18,000 even before starting the walk, through the heat and Wednesday morning rains outside of DeSoto.

For more information you can go to walkillinois2014.blogspot.com or eMail him at w.trow@comcast.net