Veteran walks 2,650 miles to aid wounded warriors

COEUR d’ALENE — The journey of a thousand miles, the adage holds, begins with a single step.

That’s how Kenneth Brock started off more than five months ago when he left his home in Keystone Heights, Fla.

When he reached Coeur d’Alene at noon on Thursday, his step counter had reached 6,826,080. He’d traveled 2,650 miles through 11 states with his trusty golden Labrador retriever, Pam, in a bid to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Brock himself suffers from PTSD. He served as a military police investigator in the Army from January 1984 to May 1993. After he retired from active duty, the disorder kept him isolated in his house and away from help, he said. He attempted suicide multiple times. During his most-recent attempt, he was found by his ex-wife. She took him to the hospital to receive psychiatric help.

“That’s when I decided to give back,” Brock said. “With over 22 soldiers a day committing suicide, there is awareness that needs to be brought to that.”

Brock teamed up with the Wounded Warrior Project and began his journey Feb. 1.

He adopted Pam after his psychiatrist at the Department of Veterans Affairs recommended a service dog. Brock said that without his dog, he’d never have made the journey. His weight had reached more than 300 pounds when he adopted Pam and being a dog owner helped motivate him to get outside — for her sake if not his own. Brock carried a 30-day supply of Blue Buffalo dog food and four gallons of water for Pam. That’s more than 32 pounds.

When he reached Coeur d’Alene on Thursday, Brock was welcomed by a procession of vehicles from Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Post Falls Police Department, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho State Police and the U.S. Forest Service. The convoy was led by his son, Arek Brock, a patrol deputy with Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office. Brock was greeted by his son, daughter and six grandchildren — all of whom live in the area. Arek said it was very important for him to be there when his father arrived in Coeur d’Alene.

“He is not on his mission by himself, so it’s nice to absolutely show my support,” Arek said. “It’s nice to have my community and my agency wrap around that, too, and just show a big town has small-town vibes and the family aspect behind it still.”

Brock experienced challenges along his journey: Floods and high winds made his trek through Nebraska dicey. While in Alabama, tornadoes touched down two days after he passed through. His Google GPS led him to dead ends in Kansas. And the trip exhausted seven pairs of running shoes.

But Army Strong is forever, and he pushed through.

A sticker on the three-wheeled cart Brock took with him across the nation reads, “All gave some, some gave all.” He said he would look at it on his rough days as a reminder of why he was doing this.

“It’s been up and down, and I’m not just talking about the hills,” Brock said.

The long walk paid off: He has raised $9,400 from his online campaign for the Wounded Warriors Project.

With the trip behind him, his future plans include spending a little time with his family and taking advantage of the beautiful Coeur d’Alene summer. After that, he plans to head home to the Sunshine State.

By car.

To support the Wounded Warriors Project, visit https://bit.ly/2RKeHHP