Veterans walk 100 miles from Maine to Massachusetts to raise PTSD awareness: 'It changed my life'

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Line at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Eleven veterans, men and women, have just walked from Maine to Massachusetts to raise awareness for something they've all experienced: PTSD.

June is PTSD Awareness Month, and this year a group of 11 veterans walked 100 miles over a five-day period to raise awareness of the critical issue facing so many military veterans.

The PTSD Century Walk began Monday, June 10, in Kittery, Maine, where veterans began walking. They passed through New Hampshire and ended up in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Friday, June 14th.

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PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, is known to be common among war veterans returning home from their service.

Seven out of every 100 veterans will have PTSD at some point in their lives, notes the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

These 11 hikers walked 100 miles from Maine to Massachusetts to raise PTSD awareness for Semper Fi & America's Fund. (Semper Fi and Fund of America)

Fox News Digital spoke with veteran John Shafer on day three of the adventure, about 30 miles into the hike in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

The effort to raise money for Semper Fi & America's Fund was going well, he said.

"I think we've been well received by the community — everyone's been very supportive," he said.

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He added that the team, as expected, had some "little aches and pains here and there".

Semper Fi & America's Fund, headquartered in Camp Pendleton, California, is an organization that provides financial assistance and support to seriously injured, ill and injured service members and veterans. It also helps military families in need, according to the group's website.

All 11 climbers started on Monday, June 10, in Kittery, Maine. (Semper Fi and Fund of America)

The Texas-based veteran spent nine years in the U.S. Marines and deployed three times. He suffers from PTSD after surviving multiple brain injuries from blasts during combat.

After finding support and strength through exercise, Shafer participated in the 2023 PTSD Century Walk — and said it changed her life.

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"Last year ... I came in kind of unprepared, but the impact it had on my life, the people I met, the physical and mental aspects and how it changed my life was something that I was like, 'I have to do this again.' ", he said.

John Shafer, pictured here, told Fox News Digital that he returned for a second year of the walk because of how completely transformative he found the first. Last year's growth took place in Kansas and Missouri. (Semper Fi and Fund of America)

Shafer said not only was he better prepared for the five-day hike this year — including having the right shoes and physical training beforehand — but he said it was something he was looking forward to for several reasons.

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"I did last year's walk in Kansas, so I came back this year as a mentor," he said.

"The unspoken bond and brotherhood is there."

He noted that some things in the military "never die," as he likes to hang them at the back of the pack to make sure there are no "backsliders."

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"We're all here for one thing in common, and it's affected us in different ways, so the unspoken bond and brotherhood is there," he said.

Shafer said the experience of completing the PTSD Century Raise has been "transformative" for her. (Semper Fi and Fund of America)

"It's a different friendship," he added, "when you meet someone who has endured a similar life path as we have."

When Shafer spoke to Fox News Digital around mile 30, he said the weather was nice — even saying the group walked more than half the day before along the beach, enjoying a nice breeze and view.

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Last year, Shafer was one of nine who walked 105 miles from Kansas to Missouri in 90-degree heat and humidity.

"We got lucky with this hike - it was a beautiful day," he said, recalling the second day of the adventure.

The veterans who participated in the hike are from different walks of life - but they all experienced something very similar. (iStock)

The veteran detailed meetings with this year's climbers - five of whom are returning.

He said connecting with people who have been through something similar to what he's been through is what made the experience "life-changing."

"It's a different friendship when you meet someone who has endured a similar life path as we have."

On the fourth day of the walk, the veterans witnessed a car accident before their eyes.

Shafer told Fox News Digital that the group remained at the scene, helping victims, until first responders arrived.

The veterans met the officer in charge of the car accident and took a photo to remember the moment. (Semper Fi and Fund of America)

“After we found out what the PTSD Century Raise was all about, one of the police officers who responded tore off the piece of uniform for us to carry around in memory of an officer who died by suicide in 2019,” said he.

Later that day, the group met up with the officer again to take a photo.

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On Friday, June 14, at approximately 9:15 a.m. ET, the hikers completed their 100-mile trek at the one and only Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

A group of veterans made a five-day trek from Maine to Massachusetts this year to raise awareness about PTSD and help raise money to help America's heroes. (Semper Fi and Fund of America/iStock)

The New England Patriots Foundation and the New England Revolution Foundation hosted a special finish line ceremony for supporters to watch the 11 veterans complete the 5-day challenge.

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Veterans will also be honored at halftime during the New England Revolution football game on June 15.

Shafer said he hopes to positively impact just one person with the expectation that the fallout will be monumental.

Anyone can learn more at the Semper Fi & America's Fund website.