Rory Fanning walked through Grand Prairie on Thursday during his fund-raising trip for Pat Tillman’s Foundation. Star-Telegram/Ron T. Ennis
A Long Walk by Rory Fanning
In Aid of the Pat Tillman Foundation
"The Pat Tillman Foundation proudly supports Rory Fanning in his quest to
walk across the country in honor of Pat. By taking action and embarking on
this tremendous journey, Rory exemplifies the type of leadership upon which
the Foundation is based and truly reflects how Pat Tillman lived his life."
walk across the country in honor of Pat. By taking action and embarking on
this tremendous journey, Rory exemplifies the type of leadership upon which
the Foundation is based and truly reflects how Pat Tillman lived his life."
California
- http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/news/breaking/2009/05/crosscountry_walk_ends_in_ob.html
- http://obrag.org/?p=7508
- http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30265161/
Arizona
- http://deadspin.com/5216981/rory-fanning-walks-the-walk
- http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/138018
Roswell, NM
- http://www.roswell-record.com/main.asp?SectionID=49&SubSectionID=112&ArticleID=40271
http://texastech.cstv.com/genrel/022609aaa.html
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/022709/loc_399033363.shtml
Abilene, TX
Mineral Wells, TX
Ft. Worth, TX
- Rory Fanning is walking across America to support Pat Tillman’s Foundation.
Related Content
While the Arizona Cardinals are in Tampa enjoying their first Super Bowl, the spirit of one of their former stars is in North Texas.
Rory Fanning, 31, is honoring the late Cardinals safety Pat Tillman by walking across the United States raising funds for his fallen friend’s foundation. His eight-month mission is to raise the same amount of money ($3.6 million) that Tillman turned down with the Cardinals to fight for his country.
Fanning, carrying a 45-pound backpack of essentials and a sign of his cause, walked through downtown Fort Worth on Friday.
"I was just sitting on my couch four months ago just generally frustrated with the leadership in this country," Fanning said, "and rather than throw up my hands in frustration, I decided to walk across the country for someone who was a model of leadership and that was Pat."
Fanning, who is a banker from Chicago, met Tillman while training for the Army and was heavily influenced by his leadership qualities. Tillman was killed by friendly fire while in Afghanistan in 2004.
Tillman surprisingly left behind a lucrative contract extension with the Cardinals and was inspired to enlist in 2002 with his brother Kevin after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Tillman family was thankful and supportive of Fanning’s walk.
"His mom said she was humbled and Pat would be humbled, too, and Pat would want to be walking with me as well," Fanning said.
Fanning’s hopes are to raise $2 from 1.8 million people during his walk which started at Virginia Beach, Va., and will end at Hermosa Beach, Calif. Along the way, Fanning has found friendly supporters and often found lodging
from strangers willing to support his cause. He averages 20 miles a day, slept behind Waffle Houses and built mini-fires behind Targets for warmth and food. The less money he spends on the journey is the more money he has for the foundation.While going through Dallas, Fanning met with members of the NFL Alumni Association, including several former Dallas Cowboys and the group hopes to promote his walk.
In some cities, Fanning gets the opportunity to speak to high school students about Tillman’s legacy, hoping to inspire others. His upcoming plans include stopping in Lubbock to speak with Texas Tech athletes at the request of athletic director Gerald Myers.
Dallas, TX
Commerce, TX
Paris, TX
McCurtain County, OK
Hot Springs, AR
 |
Little Rock, AR
- KUAR: A trek across the country stops in Arkansas
- KARZ-42: Man Walking Across America in Honor of Pat Tillman
Forrest City, AR and Army Times
- Times-Herald: Former Army Ranger walking across U.S. in honor of friend
- Army Times: Former Ranger on cross-country trek for Tillman
 |
Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., Chicago native Rory Fanning made the choice to enlist in the U.S. military as a member of the Army Rangers. Assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash. as part of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fanning served alongside someone he now thinks of as “the biggest leader I’ve ever met” – Pat Tillman. Read More ...
By MICHAEL WARD, michael@colliervilleherald.net
Huntsville, AL:
- Huntsville Times: Walker to get new shoes, city's key from Battle
- Huntsville Times: Walking with a purpose
- WAFF 48 News: Man walks to honor Pat Tillman
- WAAY-TV 31: Former Soldier Stops In Huntsville During Cross-Country Trek
Charlotte, NC
Video - Charlotte News 14:
Little Rock, ARMSNBCTacoma, WAForrest City, AR and Army Times Collierville, TNFollowing the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., Chicago native Rory Fanning made the choice to enlist in the U.S. military as a member of the Army Rangers.Assigned to Fort Lewis, Wash. as part of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fanning served alongside someone he now thinks of as “the biggest leader I’ve ever met” – Pat Tillman. Huntsville, AL:
Norfolk, VA
Man walks cross country in honor of fallen Army Ranger
Posted: Sep 17, 2008 05:33 PM MDT
Updated: Sep 17, 2008 05:50 PM MDT
PORTSMOUTH, VA. (WAVY.com) -- You can fly coast to coast in about six hours, you can drive it in less than a week - or, you can do like one Chicago man and walk from Virginia Beach to the California Coast in four months.
WAVY News 10 Photojournalist Art Kohn tells us this is more than a power walk. It's a journey for a fallen Army Ranger.31-year old Rory Fanning, a former Army Ranger from Chicago is walking from Virginia Beach to Huntington Beach, California - more than 3-Thousand miles - on foot.
"In terms of steps, 7-million steps," Fanning explained.
It'll be rough, but Fanning is thinking less about the distance and more about his fellow soldier and fallen comrade Pat Tillman.
Tillman gave up a lucrative NFL career to join the War on Terror in Afghanistan where he was killed by friendly fire in April of 2004. Fanning says he's honoring Tillman's sacrifice with this walk across country.
"He was just an amazing human being. Every conversation you had with him he was very focused on you. Very interested in what was going on with you; in spite of his fame, his very public sacrifice," said Fanning.
With this nationwide trek, Fanning hopes to raise money to benefit the Pat Tillman Foundation for young leaders.
"I would like to raise about $100-thousand for the Pat Tillman Foundation, if possible. You can go to my website walkforpat.org. And also see the country. Get to know the country."
The country for which Pat Tillman made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Pat sacrificed his life, his family, and an amazing job for freedom. And I just want everybody to use that freedom."
It will cost Fanning four months of his freedom to finish this walk. His family had some reservations about his making the trip on foot, alone.
He says they asked why he was going alone; his reply, "Because, who would go with me?"
Somehow, it seems unlikely he is completely alone, considering the amazing spirit of his friend Pat Tillman.
Video - Rory walks for Pat Tillman:
http://www.wvec.com/video/
I am available by phone or text message at (312) 415-2464 or by e-mail: rory@walkforpat.org