June 26, 2019

A 70-Year-Old Navy Doctor Is Walking Across America

About Brookdale Senior Living

At 70 years old, Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher is walking across the United States — from sea to shining sea. Her goal? To raise awareness about veterans’ issues.

On February 28, 2019, Terrie began her journey from Santa Monica Pier, California. Over the course of six months, Terrie’s trek will take her through 12 states and over 2,000 miles, to Jacksonville, Florida.

At 70 years old, Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher is walking across the United States — from sea to shining sea. Her goal? To raise awareness about veterans’ issues.

A 30-Year Dream Come True

“I first had the idea to run across the United States back in 1990,” says Terrie. But she didn’t act on her dream until she experienced a life-changing medical emergency. In 2016, Terrie had a near-fatal brush with shingles, followed by a life-threatening kidney condition. Terrie was no longer able to run, but that didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream.

“I couldn’t run anymore, but I could walk. I realized that if I was going to do it, now was the time,” says Terrie. She began preparing in September 2018, testing her physical limits and training for several months by walking on foot for seven to eight hours a day.

At 70 years old, health wasn’t the only obstacle for Terrie to overcome. She was also afraid of how others would perceive her as an older adult.

“I thought because I was a senior, people would make fun of me because I’m old. I thought I’d go out there and people would say ‘What do you think you’re doing?’ And it’s just the opposite!”

“This is a magnificent country. I don’t think we need to make it great again. I look at all the mountains and the people I’ve encountered on my walk, and everybody has been kind and good to me.”

Honoring Veterans

After serving for 30 years as a Navy doctor, veterans’ issues are close to Terrie’s heart. When she joined the Navy, women weren’t allowed to go to combat, but they were allowed to serve as nurses. Terrie eventually became a physician, a job that put her in the unique position to witness firsthand some of the trials that veterans face.

For over 20 years, Terrie has worked with disabilities services for the Army and Navy, awarding soldiers and sailors disability benefits when they’re no longer able to serve.

“When someone retires or leaves the military, they’re thrown into a whole different world,” says Terrie. “It’s such a difference in culture, the real world doesn’t realize that. Suddenly there’s not as much camaraderie, the work ethic is different. They have to figure out what to wear every day. Even something as simple as that can be a challenge.”

Terrie likens leaving the military to being a fish at the pet store, suddenly dumped into the ocean. And this isn’t just true for war heroes or combat veterans.

“There are so many everyday veterans who, like me, served for decades, but never went to combat,” Terrie says. “They serve our country, they make sacrifices, and once they get out, they need people to care about them. I think it’s important for everyone to know that even if a veteran is not a war hero, they’re special and they need help, too.”

Honoring Veterans

For over 20 years, Terrie has worked with disabilities services for the Army and Navy, awarding soldiers and sailors disability benefits when they’re no longer able to serve.

Terrie likens leaving the military to being a fish at the pet store, suddenly dumped into the ocean. And this isn’t just true for war heroes or combat veterans.

Terrie's Tips

For those who’d like to help the veterans they know, Terrie says simply paying attention to their mood and behavior and checking in with them is key.

A veteran may not ask for help because veterans “are taught to just suck it up and move on,” she posted on her Facebook page. “Just don’t give up … If you continue to try to find an opening, you may save a life or may help someone feel less alone and hopeless.”

As for making donations, Terrie intentionally chose not to promote a specific veterans’ organization.

“I chose not to support any specific organization because I want people to go research their local organizations and learn more about them and their local community.”

And for anyone — old or young — who wants to accomplish a lifelong dream, Terrie says the most important thing to do is keep it alive.

“Trekking across the country was always in the back of my mind, but I kept telling myself Oh, I could never do that. But the wake-up call of being sick brought it back to the surface, and I thought, Well, at least I could try.”

“Keep cultivating that dream, even if it’s in your subconscious. And don’t give up.”

To follow Terrie’s trek and donate to her cause, visit her Facebook page, Honoring Veterans Across America.

Terrie's Tips

For those who’d like to help the veterans they know, Terrie says simply paying attention to their mood and behavior and checking in with them is key.

As for making donations, Terrie intentionally chose not to promote a specific veterans’ organization.

“I chose not to support any specific organization because I want people to go research their local organizations and learn more about them and their local community.”

And for anyone — old or young — who wants to accomplish a lifelong dream, Terrie says the most important thing to do is keep it alive.

“Keep cultivating that dream, even if it’s in your subconscious. And don’t give up.”

To follow Terrie’s trek and donate to her cause, visit her Facebook page, Honoring Veterans Across America.

_{The information in this article was provided by Dr. Terrie Wurzbacher in an interview on March 25, 2019.}

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