Yankee fan walks 1,200-mile path for patriotism
A New York Yankees fan is heading to the team's stadium, but he won't be there for a while. He's walking from Florida to New York on a path for patriotism, reports CBS News correspondent Vicente Arenas.
Last month, Richard Albero began a three-month journey, starting at the Yankees spring training complex in Florida. He'll pass through more than eight states and log about 1,200 miles before finishing his trek in New York City in June.
Members of the Yankees gathered at the team's training facility to see him off. It's where he met the team's manager Joe Girardi.
"We think the awareness you're bringing is pretty amazing," Girardi said.
Albero's goal is to raise awareness and money, over $100,000, for the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps vets who've fought since the terrorist attacks on 9/11.
"One small step for me. One small step for the wounded warrior and for all the sacrifices they made for our great country. Here I go guys," he said as he set off on his journey.
He'd already logged more than 200 miles when CBS News met up with him at the organization's headquarters in Jacksonville. There, a crowd of supporters was waiting for him.
"I just can't believe how emotional I was like when I walked into the Wounded Warrior," Albero said. "I cried more this trip than I have the last couple of years of my life."
He also got to meet Dan Nevins who lost both legs fighting in Iraq and now works for the project.
"He's an inspiration to me. He's showing people that anything is possible," Albero said.
Inspiration also comes from Albero's nephew, Gary. He was killed during the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11. He also loved the Yankees.
"I look at a cloud and I see my nephew sitting, just watching me, and I say 'Hi.' People are going to say, 'You're nuts,' but in my mind, they'e there, " Albero said.
Albero averages 16 miles a day and hopes to arrive at Yankee Stadium by June 10th.
To learn more about his journey visit his website here.