Welcome to Salem, Virginia

Hello my friends, and thanks for checking up on me!

Today I am writing to you from Salem, Virginia which is very close to Roanoke and about 240 miles from my final destination, Washington D.C.

First off, happy birthday goes to the United Marine Corps… they are celebrating their 235th birthday today.

Today also marks the 35th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund-Fitzgerald, a ship that I served on briefly in 1965 and again in 1971.
Read more on Wikipedia
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot

Many thanks go to Deputy Sheriff and Navy Vet, Cameron Pack of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s department, for moving my pack for me to my downline destination.  Did you catch that?  Deputy Pack had my pack?  Anyway, thank you very much for your help today Deputy Pack!

I received an interesting call while I was walking today from someone I met back in September, Bill Mooreland of Honey Grove, Texas.  Bill called to tell me that he recently had a conversation with Texas Congressman, Raph Hall and Bill had informed the Congressman about what I was up to.

After hearing about me and the march for PTSD the Congressman replied,
“Have John come on down to my office and see me when he gets to D.C.”
…and that EXACTLY what I plan to do.  Thanks Bill great work!

What Bill did is just what I need right now.  In fact, RIGHT NOW would be a great time to contact your own representatives in Washington D.C. on my behalf and let them know about the March for PTSD and possibly request a brief meeting.   I will be arriving in Washington D.C. on the 15th and most likely staying a week.  I am hoping to talk to as many politicians and representatives as I possibly can while I am there.

There is not to much to tell on the march route today… one foot in front of the other, mile after mile steadily fell behind me until I eventually wound up in Salem, Virginia completing yet another leg of my journey to D.C.

I found my way to my hotel room at the Green Hill Inn, cleaned up a little and set back out on foot towards a Chinese buffet I spied on my way into town.

My stroll was briefly interrupted by local newspaper reporter Meg Hibbert, who called and caught me on the side of the road.  Meg interviewed me for a few minutes and snapped a few photos of me in my natural environment… (you know, the side of the road of course.)

I made it to the restaurant and had a great dinner, but you’ll never guess what my fortune cookie said when I was done eating…

It read, “The journey of a thousand miles begin with a single step.”

Now who could argue with that?  I sure wouldn’t.  Stay tuned folks…

John Ulstrom

See ‘ya on the road!

John Ulstrom
254-734-5597