While strolling through downtown Boise on his coast‑to‑coast trek, Robert Whaley shared the purpose behind his more than 3,000‑mile walk from Deer Park, Washington, to Washington, D.C. Whaley, whose wife is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, is walking to raise awareness for veterans and to fund a memorial park in his hometown.
Local support and meet‑and‑greets
Boise native Dan Murphy, a Navy veteran, met Whaley outside Lewistown on Highway 95 as the walker headed south through Idaho. Murphy organized informal meet‑and‑greets in Horseshoe Bend and Boise to boost Whaley’s morale and to help spread the message.
“I saw a guy walking with a flag, and I’m a professional photographer, so I stopped to take his picture,” Murphy said. “I got to talk with him and he signed a seven of hearts card because he said veterans are really dear to his heart.”
Whaley has made a point of signing a playing‑card suit for each veteran he meets, choosing hearts to symbolize the dedication and courage of those who serve. “Just because it is my walk doesn’t mean it’s my story,” Whaley explained. “It’s your story, it’s my van driver’s story, it’s my wife’s story, and I just want to say thank you.”
Goals for the journey
Whaley hopes to complete the walk at the White House, where he plans to present an American flag and a collection of photographs taken of veterans along the route. “Every step we walk with the American flag across the country,” he said, “we are going to present the flag and all the veterans’ photos we gathered along the way to the president if we can.”
If he reaches Washington, D.C., Murphy has pledged to fly out and meet him at the finish line.
How to follow the walk
Community members interested in tracking Whaley’s progress can follow his updates on his Facebook page, where he posts photos, stories, and upcoming stop‑over locations.
Whaley’s mission underscores the deep respect many Idahoans hold for service members and their families. By walking through towns and cities, he not only raises funds for a memorial park but also brings a visible reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans across the nation.
Why the memorial matters
The proposed memorial park aims to provide disabled veterans, including Whaley’s wife, a dedicated space to reflect, gather, and receive community support. Funding for the park is being raised through donations collected during the walk and through local events organized by volunteers like Murphy.
Boise residents are encouraged to support the effort by contributing to the memorial fund, attending future meet‑and‑greets, or simply sharing Whaley’s story on social media to broaden awareness.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 Boise metro (local) — read the source article.
