OKC Veteran Plans To Walk His Message To Washington D.C.

A disabled metro veteran is taking his message to Washington D.C. Rod Karcher said he wants to bring attention to the plight of our nation's veterans. 

He started out on his trip from Oklahoma City and plans to cover the entire 1,300 miles in his wheelchair.

Karcher did not pack much for his trip except a message.

“One man can make a difference,” said Karcher.

The 66-year-old disabled army veteran is traveling with a friend.

“There's a time to think about it and a time to do it and this was the time to do it,” Karcher said.

He is trying to bring awareness to what veterans are struggling with on a daily basis.

“There are thousands of us who are suffering in silence who don't say anything,” Karcher explained.

Karcher was in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1971 and lost three fingers while serving as a mechanic. He is now struggling with health problems, a limited income and basic necessities.

“To be honest with you, I don't know whether I'm going to eat today or not and that's the truth,” Karcher added.

His trip comes amid numerous scandals at the Veterans Affairs Department like long wait times for veterans seeking medical care and falsified records covering up the delays.

“It's all about this word right here, my dignity, to gain my dignity back,” Karcher said. “You lose it, you lose your hope, you lose everything,” he added.

The trip could take ten months at a pace of five to seven miles a day and he sincerely hopes to meet President Obama in person.

“To have somebody that's in front of him that's going through it, I think that's more of an impact,” Karcher said.

He said he is dedicated to bringing more attention to his fellow vets.

“If they can't or won't speak up, I'm going to and that's all there is to it,” he added.

Karcher has been overwhelmed by the generosity of others while on the road. Several people have stopped by to chat and donate items to him, like hot meals, rain coats and water.

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