Spartans Return Home After 425-Mile Hike for Fellow Marines

Six Marines completed a 22 day, 425 mile hike from San Francisco to San Clemente this weekend.

The hike culminated in a ceremony at Park Semper Fi in San Clemente Saturday and was part of a fundraising effort by  American Spartan Inc, a non-profit organization which benefits combat wounded veterans during their transition back to civilian life.

American Spartan Inc, was founded by active United States Marine Sgt. Daniel Arcand.  Arcand created the non-profit organization because he was unsatisfied with the current charities assisting combat wounded veterans.

The most physically grueling part of the hike was when the six Marines, led by Arcand,  hiked 94.2 miles in just 48 hours, from Santa Barbara down the cost to San Clemente in order to complete the mission by Saturday.

For Sgt. Arcand however, the physical challenges pale in comparison to the emotional ones.

“It was the 5th day of the hike, and we were walking down the streets of Santa Cruz when a woman stopped us and asked me if we were Marines," Arcand said. "I told her that we were, and she went on to tell me that her husband was a Marine who was killed in Afghanistan. You don’t know what to say when someone tells you something like that, so I gave her my card and told her if she ever needed anything to call us.”

Vietnam Vet Jim Gularte, a six-time Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, gave a stirring and impassioned speech welcoming the Spartans home.

“We bit them in the ass in Iraq, and now we’re biting them in the ass again in Afghanistan, so we get to come home to an America that’s free," Gularte said. "But we need to remember that freedom isn’t free. We are the ones who lead the way fighting against terrorism on our shores. We’ve been doing it since 1775 and we’ll continue putting them to sleep until God only knows.”  

The civilians in the audience stood and applauded the words of the war veteran, as the Marines in the crowd shouted “hoo-rah!” After his speech, the  Marines presented Gularte with the American flag they carried throughout the hike in a touching tribute to the hero.

In admiration for their service and on behalf of the mayor and the city of San Clemente, City Councilman Bob Baker, the only veteran now serving on the city council, presented the Spartans with a plaque signed by the mayor thanking them for all they had done.  

“I am enthusiastic about these Marines helping their fellow servicemen,” Baker said, “Marines helping Marines, brothers in arms.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, The Fisherman’s Wharf held an after party where families and friends gathered in support of hopes of raising the Spartan’s desired goal of $100,000 for injured servicemen.  

If you or somebody you know would like to donate to American Spartan Inc, please call 760-408-4431 or visit their website at www.AmericanSpartanInc.com.