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On June 6, 2022, Justin “JD” LeHew and Coleman “Rocky” Kinzer, both retired USMC
Sergeants Major, set off on a cross country journey across America; from Boston,
Massachusetts to Newport, Oregon, on US Highway 20, America’s longest road. On
August 18, 2022, they were joined by veteran Marine Staff Sergeant, Raymond
Shinohara, in Elgin, Illinois, who served with both JD and Rocky during their time in the
Marines. The walk is named The Long Road.
The City of Newport will be celebrating the arrival of the three veterans in Newport on
Saturday, December 17, at 1:00 P.M. A welcome event is scheduled at that time at Don
and Ann Davis Park, at the Viet Nam Memorial. The community is encouraged to line
Olive Street, west of the American Legion (424 West Olive Street), to welcome the walkers
on their final approach to the Viet Nam Memorial at Don and Ann Davis Park.
Those who are unable to welcome the Long Road walkers on December 17, are asked to consider joining them at a spaghetti dinner, prepared and donated by the Newport National Guard Armory, American Legion, the Bobeda Family, Grocery Outlet, Bigfoot Distributors,
Oregon Coastal Cutters, JC Market, Mo’s Enterprises, Starbucks, and others, on Sunday,
December 18, from 4 – 7 P.M., at the National Guard Armory, 541 SW Coast Highway.
The dinner cost is $15, and all funds will be donated to History Flight. Remarks from the
Long Road Walkers and others will begin at 5 P.M., during the dinner. The three Marines are walking in support of America’s Missing and Killed in Action from all wars and conflicts, Gold Star families, as well as highlight numerous other great charitable causes in support of helping and continuing to give back to others from all walks and challenges of life.
This journey began at the USS Constitution in Boston Harbor on June 6, 2022 and will
end in Newport, Oregon, on Saturday, December 17, 2022. The route selected is the
historic US Highway 20, America’s longest road. This specific road was selected to
highlight the long journey home that over 81,000 missing US Service members have been
trying to make since World War Two. It also represents America’s longest wars in
Afghanistan and Iraq and the men and women who fought there.
It has been 20 years since 9/11 happened thrusting America into war; Highway 20 is the walker’s tribute to all those who served and sacrificed so much in the service of this nation, both past and present. The USS Constitution was selected as the journey start point to honor our Naval traditions and service to this nation as Marines. The rucksacks the walkers are carrying represent the heavy burden carried by generations of warriors who have served in our nations ranks since 1775 as well as the weight of a nation that we carry in combat to live
up to the promise that we will never surrender and never leave a fallen comrade behind.
The veterans are walking to raise awareness of the Missing in Action/Killed in Action
service members. The walk is a fundraiser for HistoryFlight.com.
The City of Newport is very grateful to the support of the community in making the walkers visit to Newport a memorable event. Again, special thanks to the Newport National Guard Armory, the Bobeda Family, American Legion, Grocery Outlet, Bigfoot Distributors, Oregon Coastal Cutters, JC Market, Mo’s Enterprises, Starbucks, Pacific Sourdough, Road and Driveway/Cedar Creek Quarries, My Petite Sweet, Human Bean, Pacific Sourdough, Road and Driveway/Cedar Creek Quarries, My Petite Sweet, Human Bean, Best Western Agate Beach Inn, Hallmark Resort, Chowder Bowl, Rogue Brewing, Nye Creek Taphouse, Freddy Saxton Advantage Realty, Karen Chalmers Spinning Sands, Newport Brewing, Sea Luna of Seal Rock, and others. Additional thanks goes to all community members who volunteered in every way.
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