William Shuttleworth, 72, is a Vietnam veteran who began a planned walk across America on May 15 in an effort to draw attention to veteran needs across the country. His travels brought him into the Alpine Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Aug. 30, where Post Commander Jack Gauthier, Quartermaster Carl Silva and Chaplain Theo Bazdorf welcomed Shuttleworth to San Diego County.
Lean and agile, Shuttleworth casually walked onto the patio at the post, still wearing his backpack, and addressed the crowd of about 60 guests in a calm tone that belied his impassioned words. In a list of five items, he cited better health care for veterans among his concerns.
“My (third) goal is to have the same health care plan for veterans as Congress has… we’re willing to sign on the dotted line to willingly give our life for every breath of fresh air this country has. Don’t you think that’s worth a better health care plan than what we have right now?” the Air Force veteran asked.
Building upon the applause he gathered at his rhetorical question, Shuttleworth went on to state that he is also walking to draw attention to veteran underrepresentation in Congress.
“When I went into the military in 1970, 75% of Congress were veterans. Today, it is 8%. Congress has become a country club of narcissistic cupcakes that are strangled by the beltway of Washington and have absolutely no clue what is going on in the United States. We need to make sure that young bucks, young guns, people that have a voice and have compassion for veterans run for congress and get elected so we don’t lose that voice,” Shuttleworth said.
Shuttleworth informed the gathering that he has been amassing $100,000 in donations on his walk across the country and that he is hoping to present that check to the Disabled American Veterans, then ask Congress how come he, a self-described old man had to walk across the country to raise awareness when they should be doing it.
Shuttleworth shared that although his walk ended with his arrival in San Diego county, he plans to build on the experience and start a non-profit foundation focusing on homeless veterans.
