One man's journey to help disabled veterans.

Sergeant First Class Harvey C. Schirrmacher turns 55 in August and retires from the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Program on Dec. 1, 2007, with 36 years of service. But before he retires he plans a journey to help disabled veterans.

Sgt. Schirrmacher is a full time Army Reserve Career Counselor with the U.S. Army Reserve Command Retention and Transition Division assigned to Region I, working out of Boston, Mass. Some time ago, he decided to do something to help disabled veterans and began researching the possibilities. An avid motorcyclist, he decided to ride coast to coast raising support along the way through pledged contributions which he will divide equally between the DAV and Homes for Our Troops (HFOT).

Weather permitting; Sgt. Schirrmacher begins the journey from his home in Auburn on May 14 and plans to complete it there on June 15. The ride will cover 36 states, representing his 36 years of military service. His wife, Carolyn, a master sergeant in the AGR Program; and two daughters will be monitoring dad's trip on their computer at home.

Everyone can follow the trip via computer by logging onto http://cruising4vets.com. The Web site includes a posted coast-to-coast route that will include daily schedules posted the evening prior, photos as the trip progresses, a mission statement, a donation page and a sponsors and contacts page. The site will also include links to the DAV and HFOT.

"I certainly want to encourage everyone to visit the Web site," Schirrmacher said. I also hope to have an e-mail contact address up and running for anyone who wants to e-mail during the trip. I may not be able to answer all of the e-mails, but I will certainly appreciate getting them."

Schirrmacher also welcomes others to join in and ride along with him for awhile, and if you don't have an opportunity to ride, a friendly wave is also welcome.

When Schirrmacher was researching how best to help fellow veterans, he wanted to be sure the majority of the donation was reaching veterans through programs and services, and that the organization maintained a grassroots approach.

"I believe the DAV and HFOT are organizations that have demonstrated they work closely at the grassroots level when it comes to helping veterans of all branches," Schirrmacher said. "That's why I know when I ask the caring public to help our veterans by pledging a donation to these organizations, whether it's a penny a mile or any amount they can give, I know it reaches the veterans and their families who need assistance.

"I believe in an organization that works with the troops. The DAV does a good job. That's why I've been a supporter of the DAV for a long time--that's why when I counsel soldiers, I advise them to contact DAV in the event they need help.

"I would like to raise $250,000 to divide between the DAV and HFOT. Two million people donating 25 cents would do it, but any amount will help."

Schirrmacher believes each person can make a difference in the lives of others. When asked recently why he is making a 9,000-mile journey to raise money and awareness for disabled veterans and their families, he said, "I believe if your heart is true, your desire is great and your determination is strong, even one person can make a positive difference."

Schirrmacher is out to make a difference coast to coast, and he's looking for you to make a difference, too.