< Back to front page Text size – +

For these vets, a walk on the Freedom Trail means more

E-mail|Link|Comments () November 11, 2009 08:13 PM

David L. Ryan/Globe Staff

Brian Fountaine of Hanson, who served in Iraq, was one of the disabled vets walking the Freedom Trail.Behind him on the right is Joe Sherwood of Pepperell, the medic who tied a tourniquet to save Fountaine's life.

By Globe Staff

For a group of Bay State veterans, a walk on Boston's Freedom Trail today was tougher -- and, at the same time, more meaningful.

The disabled veterans took the tour of Revolutionary War sites in honor of Veterans Day.

"This is going to be incredibly difficult,'' said Matt Hagan, 32, of Pembroke, before the 11 a.m. start. Hagan was injured several times in his 10-year Army career, including once when his parachute did not open. "I don't feel anything in my right foot," he said.

Last Veterans Day, many in Hagan's group walked several loops of the trail, nearly a marathon. This year, with chilly but dry weather, he hopes to do more loops on the historic trail and go even further to publicize the situation of disabled vets.

Brian Fountaine, 28, faced a more difficult hike. The Plymouth resident and former tank commander walks with prosthetics after a double amputation caused by an IED exploding under his Humvee in Iraq in 2006.

We'd asked Hagan to check in with us along the way. And the vet -- who served the flag in Kosovo, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq -- obliged with the following iPhone reports.

UPDATE 12:30 p.m. -- Heading into Charlestown: We started with 50 supporters, 16 disabled veterans. Police and fire and family are with us, too. Big surprise for Brian Fountaine was Joe Sherwood, the soldier credited with saving Brian's life and applying his tourniquets.

UPDATE: 12:46 p.m. -- The walkers have made it to the USS Constitution. After a break, we're heading up to the Bunker Hill Monument right now. I'm doing OK, Brian is holding strong, too -- leading the group. We said hello to a number of vets who are headed to the State House or to the Veterans Day parade. We've had a couple of water breaks, but don't plan to eat for a while.

UPDATE: 1:31 p.m. -- We have made it. Everyone is happy and healthy. Motivated and truly working as a team. Carrying each other's bags and pushing wheelchairs. We are returning joking and laughing. It is a good first loop. 5 miles down. 35 more.

UPDATE: 3:42 p.m. -- Second lap of the Freedom Trail: The groups have split up due to ability groups. Morale is strong. Brian Fountaine is holding strong with his group while I'm leading my way back to Bunker Hill Monument and then back to the Boston Common for the third lap.

UPDATE: 4:18 p.m. -- As it gets darker, Jack Wainwright, one of the veteran training coaches who helps with disabled vets, and I are the last men standing. A couple more layers added and moving on. Brian and his group have had chafing and their prosthetics go their final mile. We are so proud of his group and can't thank them enough. Another loop through Boston. Off we go.

UPDATE 5:09 p.m. -- This morning we were disappointed that seven of our team members were unable to get the day off work. But as Jack and I walked along the dark back alley of Old North Church, we were pleasantly met by six smiling faces. Six people to walk with us. Bringing us a few snacks to keep us going.

UPDATE 6:17 p.m. -- Mile 15 and holding strong. Still walking with eight veteran training members from Boston, Pembroke, Hanson, Kingston, and other local areas. Thanks for all the friendly responses we've gotten along the way.

UPDATE 8:13 p.m. -- Mile 20. Might need to stop for food soon. Just Jack and I might need a second off our feet. We have laughed for the last hour how Jack and I, both accomplished triathletes, are being put in check by 2.5 miles of cobblestones. We've been through worse.... Gotta keep moving.

UPDATE 10:16 p.m. -- Mile 25: We're not giving up. 52 minutes to go and counting down. Thank you for all the support out there writing and meeting us to make it until the end. We're moving somewhere between pond water and a herd of turtles. We can do this.
Fortitudine Vincimus.

UPDATE 11:09 p.m. --Mission accomplished: 25 miles and change. Special thanks to Mr. Beard, the editor of Boston.com, and all of our Veteran Training friends and supporters.