Man Running 100 Miles in Smokies to Turn Veterans Day into a Giving Holiday

A 60-year-old man will run 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail in four days, carrying a 25-pound backpack containing all his survival provisions, to raise money for veterans.

Steve Holmes of Millington, Mich. started the Great Smoky Mountains 100-mile Run along the Appalachian Trail today, Nov. 6, 2015, at the Garenflo Gap marker in North Carolina with a goal of raising $100,000 for Wounded Warrior Project. Joining Holmes on the journey are his son Steve Holmes Jr. and fellow runner Nate Erbman.

Steves Holmes begins his 100-mile run along the Appalachian Trail in the Smoky Mountains at Garenflo Gap marker on Nov. 6, 2015.

A public inspiration rally will be held as Holmes and his companions reach Newfound Gap the afternoon or evening of Nov. 8, before they travel on to finish the run at Fontana Dam on Nov. 9 or 10.

Anyone can support Holmes by donating to the Great Smoky Mountains 100-Mile Run fundraising page on the Wounded Warrior Project website.

Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization that provides programs and assistance to injured service members. 100% of donations will go directly to the organization. Holmes will present the donation check to Wounded Warrior Project on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2015. But beyond that single donation, he hopes to change the way the nation observes Veterans Day by turning it into a giving holiday.

“We give gifts on Valentine’s Day, Easter, Birthdays, Christmas even Halloween, but what do we do on Veteran’s Day for those who have given the most for us?” Holmes says. He looks to inspire a new tradition by kicking off the Holiday Season every year, “With everyone giving something to our veterans on Veterans Day!”