Retired vet stops in Waitsburg on his trek across the U.S.

WAITSBURG – Ron and Cindy Standring had a special guest last week when they played host to Jimmy Novak, a retired veteran who is walking across the United States to raise awareness for PTSD and suicide prevention. Ron is American Legion Post #35 Commander and Cindy is the Legion Adjutant/Finance Officer.

Novak is walking from DuPont, Wash. to Disney Land in Orlando, Fla. He began his walk on March 23 and, by the time he landed in Waitsburg, he had covered approximately 212 miles over 13 days, with eight days of actual walking. He estimated his average distance as 25.6 miles per day.

Novak, who is retired in January, after 21 years in the army, is walking to show support and raise awareness for fellow military that struggle with anxiety and depression. The walk is both a therapeutic endeavor for his own emotional wellness and a way to encourage fellow veterans.

Novak wears the number 22 on his wrist, which is the roughly the number of veterans that the Veterans Administration says lose their lives, every day, to suicide.

The Standring's said that Novak enjoyed the food and hospitality from the Tuxedo in Prescott as well as in Dayton and Waitsburg.

"He didn't leave here hungry!" Cindy said. "He had much trouble with the baby buggy he was pushing. He will need to rethink his load. Oh boy! It's a heavy one!" she added.

Cindy said Novak has a wife and three kids and plans to be a history teacher when he returns to DuPont.

"He expressed a heart for veterans with PTSD and the horrific rate of suicide," she said.

Novak crossed into Idaho on Saturday and will follow US95 and ID55 across the state. Follow Novak's journey on Facebook at JLNovak. Options for supporting Novak on his journey are at the top of his Facebook page.