Vietnam war veteran walks across country to highlight need for better benefits for disabled vets

Vietnam war veteran William Shuttleworth is a man on a mission.

After seeing veterans battle homelessness and suicide and the lack of benefits they were receiving, Shuttleworth walked out his front door and hasn’t looked back.

” So many veterans that aren’t healthy. I feel like I’m walking for them. It’s a sacred walk it’s…obviously I can’t minimize it. This is a tough thing to do, ” said Shuttleworth .

Since mid-May, the 71-year-old has walked more than three thousand miles from his home in Massachusetts, raising awareness for the need for better benefits for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

” Our veterans deserve that. They put their life on the line, and they deserve a lot better than that. ”

On Sunday, veterans from the American Legion in Brawley joined him in his cause.

Shuttleworth added, ” And they came out today to walk with me. They fought hard in Afghanistan and the mid-east. That represents the young guns that’s gotta continue this leadership for veterans in this country. ”

Raymond Gonzalez, who was one of the veterans walking with Shuttleworth , shared his experience after being medically discharged from active duty.

Gonzalez said, ” Sometimes it’s just scheduling appointments. Sometimes it’s being ran through the system. You know re-routed from one provider to another. Appointments taking longer than expected. Just navigating through the whole healthcare system can be challenging. ”

Valley resident, Doris Soza was inspired by Shuttleworth’s story and hopes others will also stand up for veterans.

” Cause you don’t really see a lot of people fighting for the rights of veterans and what they’ve been going through. Like a lot of them don’t even have the medication and can’t get it, ” said Soza .

Shuttleworth plans to finish his journey in San Diego on August 1, where he’ll be received on the USS Midway.

To support Shuttleworth and his mission click here.