Last week I was asked to host a hometown heroes BBQ at Fort Missoula, and while I knew I would be shaking hands with servicemen and servicewomen from the area, meeting Chuck Lewis was one that really stood out to me the most. 

Chuck Lewis, is a retired Sargent from the USMC and is a Ronan, Montana soldier that fought in Vietnam. Back in 2013 he walked on foot over 3,000 miles across the entire nation to raise funds and awareness for war vets.

Hearing his stories brought a smile to my face. Hearing from his own words how his wife thought he was crazy, but undeniably supportive, to when his tent nearly flooded one night in the rain while stuck in the middle of nowhere only to have locals support him with food and shelter in a pinch.

I've been quite proud of my accomplishments in life, from breaking a world record in a sleepless on-air marathon, to running a marathon, and most recently sitting in every bleacher in Washington Grizzly stadium to end Montana hunger. But nothing as honorable as what Chuck had endured. Seriously, think about it. Walking across the entire nation? Admirable, to say the least.

I followed Chuck's story ever since the news broke a couple of years ago, and to finally meet and shake his hand made me even prouder to be a Montanan, and especially an American.

Chuck continues to share the purpose of his cause at speaking engagements across this beautiful land of ours. Follow his continued journey at www.walkingforthefallen.com

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