Lee Deckelman is a former Special Operations Combat Vet/ Security Contractor, and founder of Echelon Grey Foundation, a Non-Profit 501 (c) (3) (pending) Charity. The goal of Echelon Grey is to support Veterans and contractors through suicide intervention/prevention and supporting mental health services at home.
While awaiting federal approval for the foundation, Lee has embarked on an Appalachian Trail Thru Hike Mission, with the goal:
“to promote and bring awareness to the public via a mini-documentary/hike along the AT. I feel the environment/ setting is the perfect backdrop for a Global War on Terror Documentary. Over the 4-5 months it will take me to complete the entire hike, I hope to interview 20-30 individuals who volunteer to meet me along the trail, and who represent all the traditional and non-traditional roles Americans serve in overseas”.
Lee is 1/3 of the way to Maine, currently in Northern Virginia, and requires a supplement to his budget to complete the journey.
Tags: gofundme
I’m doing a thru-hike next year, this is pretty simple stuff to find:
http://www.warriorhike.com
1/3 of the way this time of year? That’s either a late start or a slow walk, hope he gets to Maine before first snow, especially the Presidential Range, that’s some harrowing trail right there.
Stay safe Lee!
Jon, OPT
Lee just crossed into New Jersey yesterday. Thanks for the support, much appreciated.
Thanks for the update, that’s more on line with a steady thru walk.
Jon, OPT
I guess saying you were a Ranger isn’t cool enough anymore, so adding the ambiguous mystique of saying “Special Operations” vet and perhaps hoping someone will assume you were SFOD-D is now the way to go?
Steve, don’t over think this man. I’ll pass along your helpful comment to Lee, and will ensure he’s more specific next time. He was also a green beret. What’s more interesting, currently, is that a disabled vet, however imperfectly we’ve described him, has just walked from GA to New York. He’s doing it for a purpose. He doesn’t have a big budget for this. I’m helping him.