Cody McCormick grew up about an hour from Manhattan. He was a high school sophomore on 9-11. The terrorist attacks convinced Cody to join the military right when he finished high school.
   
That dedication to his country is why Cody, now a Dominion Energy line-worker in Alexandria, Virginia, agreed to join his best friend, Joe Webb, on a difficult fundraiser for injured veterans, walking 170 miles in four days through the Pocono Mountains.  

“There are veterans struggling all over the country. They serve our country honorably and without forethought they ask for nothing in return. And their sacrifice does not end with their service. They continue to sacrifice for the rest of their lives trying to maintain some type of normalcy in their existence,” said Cody. 

Cody and his friend Joe are both former Army rangers from Pennsylvania. They planned their trip from Delaware Water Gap, PA to Penn State, Joe’s alma mater. Along the way they are raising awareness and money for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

Because of the pandemic, WWP has had to cancel many fundraisers this year and McCormick and Webb wanted to do something to help keep the organization’s many programs and services going.  McCormick says WWP’s 24/7 phone line for struggling veterans is essential. The organization also provides trips and social gatherings to keep veterans connected. “It’s not so much about healing their physical ailments as it is about healing their hearts and minds,” said Cody.  

The two men are both walking with 25-pound weighted packs on their backs to resemble what they carried during active duty. The fast-paced, punishing hike was grueling.  By day four, Joe had injured his knee and could not bend it.  Both he and Joe had bruised ankles and feet, yet they had no intention of stopping.  “The pain that we’re going to feel along the way is nothing compared to what injured veterans feel every single day,” said Cody. 

The outpouring of support they received along the way was overwhelming.  At one point, an elderly veteran came up to thank them for what they were doing.  “That was really special for both me and Joe and we got kind of choked up,” said Cody. 

The men embarked from Delaware Water Gap, PA on Sunday, Oct. 25 and finished Thursday, Oct. 29th at Old Main, University Park.