E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Joe Clark Photography
Albie Masland is running from L.A. to Washington, D.C.
He had never run in a marathon before. He had never even completed a 5K. But it was always in the back of Albie Masland’s mind to run across the country.
Disenchanted with law school and driven by a hunger to thank America’s veterans, the 28-year-old Pennsylvania native began the 2,900-mile journey across the United States with a mission. The run is called “Operation Amerithon,” which Masland launched along with Bullets2Bandages, an accessories and apparel maker. Together, they’ve raised more than $28,500 for the Travis Manion Foundation, which helps veterans and the families of fallen service members.
Last October, Masland found himself at a transition point.
“I found myself thinking about the news of the time,” he said, referring to American troops returning home from overseas. “I started thinking (about) the transition from combat to civilian life.”
Related: From combat to corporate -- and the new stigma blocking some veterans
Related: Colleges doing more for homecoming vets, but gaps remain, study finds
While not a veteran himself, Masland wanted to “channel all this energy spent running, to have a positive impact for others.” Which is why he began the long trek on March 17, from just south of Los Angeles in Dana Point, Calif. His run is slated to end in Washington, D.C., on August 18.
“I have a lot of respect for the people that serve and are courageous in battle. I can’t imagine,” he said.
That’s something that hits close to home for Bullets2Bandages co-founders Erik Spalding and Cole Evans, who both served as Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers. The two also graduated the Naval Academy in 2004, at the same time as Manion — who was killed in 2007 while serving for the Marines in Iraq.
Coming out of the military, Spalding found it only natural to merge his entrepreneurial interests with a public service role, and Bullets2Bandages was born. This San Diego-based company takes once-fired bullets and transforms them into jewelry. It's a sort of socially-charged fashion statement, where proceeds are raised for veteran organizations. The company is supporting Masland’s run along the way by getting the word out.
At the end of the day, Spalding said, helping veterans reaccalimate to society is “not to take pity on them,” but rather “to bring to light that we’ve lived in a different world.”
“It’s not that people are looking for a handout,” Spalding said. “People want to go back and get jobs, get over being disabled.”
Cross-country on foot
Currently, Masland is near Irwin, Pa., and has already tallied more than 2,630 miles. His travel companions -- sister Hilary Masland and friend Alex Hyman -- are along for the journey in a car, meeting Masland every four miles on the road to give him water and food.
With record-breaking heat across much of the country this summer, they had to plan around the elements.
Around two or three in the afternoon, “it felt like the air had been marinating you,” Masland said, adding that he’d sometimes go through three shirts a day. To beat the temperatures, he started running at five in the morning.
At 26 miles a day, it’s no easy feat. But despite being “sore as hell,” he keeps it all in perspective through Manion’s story.
“When I’m feeling weak, I try to channel some energy from him,” he said.
He hopes this cross-country run raises awareness of veterans' issues, and he stays motivated by that larger goal.
“I think if I was just running across the country for me, I would probably still be in Illinois,” he said.
Along the way, the trio have tried to stop and interact with veterans. Masland says the reaction to what he’s doing is a surprised “wow” at first, but then always followed by appreciation and a thank you.
Masland is only about eight days away from his hometown of Carlisle, Pa., before he tackles the final 112-mile stretch to Washington D.C. A small celebration is being planned outside Arlington National Cemetery for the August 18 finale.
To track Albie Masland’s progress, visit www.operationamerithon.com.
More content from NBCNews.com:
Leave a Comment:
The sad fact is our nation could care less about our veterans, the dismal statistics override truthiness
One million disabled veterans are ruined financially because their VA disability claims are not being processed in less than TWO YEARS.
These nice little self-expressions of support for veterans are wonderful but our maimed and disabled veterans need their deserved money so they can eat!
Young, healthy, bored. He should enlist in the armed forces. Instead of thanking a vet, he could become one.
Semper Fi
All the way!
See someone does care about the Vets!!
He's a "lone candle" in the darkness. I'm going to choose too be thankful for the lone candle's light, rather than curse the surrounding darkness. I spent too long in that same blackness after coming back to the World and to an ungrateful nation in 1970. I try to be grateful for his effort, but the crushing indifference or - worse - downright (now covert) hostility being expressed by a hostile society and business climate just make me angry for the GIs coming home; they deserve better, a lot better.
We don't appreciate our veterans because we, the people, aren't choosing the wars...the companies are. It's hard to support veterans of a war you never wanted to have or have to pay for. I feel for them because they're victims as much as the nations we go to war with.
God bless this your man, at least he's doing something. Mr Thanatos, some people serve in other ways. I wish him well. USN/Ret
Get off your high horse. You, me, and several million others are vets. It's not as exclusive of a club as you think, squid. BTW, the dude only raised a little over $28,000. BIG WHOOP! The kid needs to shave and get a job.
"Only" $28,000? I'm guessing that's more than you've raised over the last 4 months. I know it's more than I have.
Real nice life you must have if you don't have anything better to do than troll comments and rip a guy who's raising money for vet charities. I'm sorry his methods aren't up to your approval.
Signed,
A guy who spent 7 years in the Marine Corps, and appreciates anyone who helps support veterans and their charities
Thanatos: At least he's trying to do something good for us. Would you rather he protested when we came come? That's what my comrads got at the San Fancisco Airfport in 1970. Or is that you just aren't impressed with his effort? Get off YOUR high horse.
By the way, I like your screen name, especially in the context of this vine. I believe it is Greek for death. Very appropriate. A guy is trying to do something to enhance people's lives, and "death" haughtily joins the discussion.
Mr. Death is a name I earned in Afghanistan, A-hole. My point was that this young, bored, and apparently healthy man would be better in an Army or Marine Corps uniform ACTUALLY fighting for this country, than dropping out of law school, growing a beard, and spending the next year bumming around the country, "raising" a paltry $28,000. But, you go ahead, CRAVEN (your name says a lot), and keep make excuses for the young bums that this nation is producing. Instead of thanking veterans, this guy could actually become one. Semper Fi
Albie has done an excellent job bringing awareness to a worthy foundation and cause. Shame on you for not appreciating his efforts. In a mere few months (not a year), his dedication has inspired people to open their minds and wallets (and in a recession no less). He is helping our nation in a different way than you think. And you want to call him a bum? That's ridiculous. A bum wouldn't have even it made it to Day 1. I look to Albie as example of channeling a passion for a greater good.
Yes, my surname does say quite a bit. Whilt you're alluding to the current pejorative name for coward, it is actually a Welch surname for "place of caves." And, by way of history, one of my ancestors was on the field at Runnymede Meadows in June, 1215, when King John affixed the Royal Seal to what is now known as the Magna Carta. He was among the Knights who had rebelled against John because of his abuses. And since Thanatos is a name you earned in Afghanistan, allow me to introduce myself by my generic call sign: Covey. I was a Covey FAC in Viet Nam. Flew out over the Trail - exclusively. Look it up in the histories. Flew unarmed, that's right - unarmed, out over the Ho Chi Minh Trail. in Laos, out among the 23- 37- and 40-mm AAA. Some of my colleagues flew among those plus 57-85- and 100-mm AAA. They wisely gave those bad boys a wide birth. Oh, by the way, I invite your attention to Matthew:7, the entire first paragraph. You'll find it enlightening.
Run Forest!
sorry couldn't resist
Kudos to this man for standing up for vets anyway he can, they should be our most valued citizens.
Thank You, Albie Masland!!! =) -R. Benton
25 miles a day? Wonder what that feels like on day 3? Good job Albie Masland.
There is a GREAT tribute video for our troops by Nathan Osmond titled "Stars & Stripes" on YouTube. I would strongly recommend that everyone check it out. VERY poweful.... "Stars & Stripes!" It features REAL soldiers and their families. There are no actors in this video! The couple featured are a real Marine couple from Filmore UT (Robert & Krista Iverson). Robert received the Purple Heart when his tank was destroyed during the first invasion in Iraq.
First of all TO ALL OUR VETS AND MILITARY PERSONEL.........THANK YOU! These are people who serve a country that our founding fathers whould be turning in there graves to this day if they would see the mess that this country is in right now. However the people who choose to serve this country that show no fear to what our goverment can bring weather everyone agrees on what our wars represent, fight for us. Not everyone is military material. At least this guy is doing something for our vets and military personel. Thats the least he can do if he can't serve may not be his choice maybe he was turned down to serve. Get your facts before you bash someone. And if you have tried to get a job in this world lately its not that easy! Thanks to most of our Leaders for our country. THERE ARE NO JOBS! Anyway we need more people to help because the goverment seems to discard these people when they come home. We need to help them for having served and protected all of our riches.
GO FOR IT! But they are on the wrong side of the road according to the rules. "O" Well
You guys should also check out Mike. This man is on another run from Canada to Mexico placing a flag every mile for fallen soldiers in Afghanistan.
By Mike I mean Mike Ehredt. Google his run. The mods won't let me post the link. Amazing story.
Thank you Albie Masland for your contribution to Veterans everywhere. I am a Veteran and appreciate the jesture. Your efforts are to be commended. Thank you again for your contribution to Veterans everywhere. Stay hydrated. I don't know where you are in your trek, but please try to steer away from hot Texas cities. In my prayers for all of your efforts. God Bless & keep you safe.
Tony:: How can you tell on which side of the road they are? Where is the camera that took the picture? If they are on the side facing traffic they are correct.