Former Ranger on Cross-Country Trek for Pat Tillman

Former Ranger on cross-country trek for Tillman

By Kendall Owens

FORREST CITY, Ark. — The story of Pat Tillman is well known. He’s the former professional football player who walked away from a multi-million dollar contract and career to join the Army and become a Ranger before being killed in Afghanistan.

A 31-year-old former Ranger is now walking across the country to raise money for Tillman’s foundation and to share his own personal story about Tillman.  Rory Fanning, a Chicago native, began his trek in September, walking a circuitous route from Virginia Beach, Va., to Hermosa Beach, Calif., in hopes of bringing more awareness to Tillman’s foundation and seeking to raise $3.6 million in the process.

Fanning served with Tillman in the 2nd Ranger Battalion, and said that, while Tillman may be known for his crushing hits on the football field and his service to his country, he was much more than that.  “I served with Pat at Fort Lewis in Washington when we were going through Ranger training,” Fanning said in an interview as he passed through Forrest City. “He was an all-around good guy.

“Most folks remember him for hitting receivers as they came across the middle on a football field and that strong will of his, but he was so much more,” Fanning said. “He was one of the most well-read men I’ve ever met. He was a great listener and a great leader.”

Fanning said 80 percent of those who go to Ranger school don’t finish.

“Pat would always take those guys to the side and put his arm around them and reassure them and tell them how he didn’t make the cut when he first went to the NFL. That’s the kind of guy he was,” said Fanning.

Fanning said money raised during his cross-country walk will provide scholarships for students along with leadership training. He said that he averages about 100 miles a week and has followed a route along area railways.

“I average about 100 miles a week and have met some interesting people along the way. I’ve slept outside 90 percent of the time behind a Waffle House or another business in the towns I come to and cook my meals over a fire most of the time,” he said.

“The amazing thing that I’ve encountered along the way, by far, is the people that I’ve met. In this day and age, I’ve been invited into several people’s homes,” Fanning said. “It’s a testament to the generosity and trust that we as Americans still have to this day.”

In Forrest City, Fanning was met by Jerry England, also a former Army Ranger. England escorted Fanning through town and said he was impressed by Fanning.

“Being a former Ranger, I was very impressed with what this young man is doing and proud of what he’s doing in honor of his friend by walking across the country,” said England.

England offered Fanning a place to lay his head while he was in town as temperatures dropped.

“He told me that he would be okay and even called … just to check in and let me know that he had made it all right,” England said.

England, Forrest City and Arkansas have impressed Fanning, who is detailing his stops on his blog site at www.walkforpat.org. During the interview this week, Fanning said that Forrest City was a refreshing site in his travels.

“I’ve been within 10 feet of a bear in Alabama, and I’ve been chased by pit bulls as I’ve walked,” he said. “When I walked off of the tracks in Forrest City there was just something about this town I liked. It was nice to see a town that still had shops in the downtown area and wasn’t just a Walmart.

“The people here have been just wonderful and helpful and made me feel welcome. It’s been that way since I got into Arkansas. It’s really made an impression on me,” he said.

Fanning left Forrest City headed for Little Rock. He said that his journey would take him to Hot Springs later this month.

Asked when he hoped his travels would end, he said, “I’m not really certain, I’m not rushing, and this is all about bringing awareness to the foundation. I’ve been stopping talking to the kids and talking at schools and high schools and, if it takes me a little longer than I expected to do this, then so be it. It’s just been great so far, and I’m in no hurry.”

Fanning said he intended for his pilgrimage to be as low-tech as possible. He carries only his backpack, a walking stick, a Blackberry cellular phone and a GPS.

“I bought a pair of $10 leather shoes from Walmart, and they’ve lasted me through the first four months,” he said laughing. “I had someone in Birmingham insist on buying me a good pair of shoes, but I’m fine with what I have. I had my laptop when I started out so that I could post my blog entries every night, but I’ve sent that home and now just use my Blackberry to update the site. I have my GPS to give me directions in case I get a little lost,” he said.