PORT HUENEME, Calif. - A Sailor from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NCMB) 3 walked 200 miles from Port Hueneme, Calif., to San Diego to raise awareness against bullying arriving Monday, Dec. 1.
Yeoman 3rd Class Chris Kalb started his journey on Thanksgiving morning at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Port Hueneme and arrived to the “Unconditional Surrender” statue near the San Diego harbor Monday night.
“Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you,” said Kalb. “Growing up this phrase never helped me.”
Being bullied as a child throughout his school days still affects Kalb today.
“Something I learned was that my bones will heal, but my heart won’t from the words kids called me.”
Walking roughly 40 miles each day for five days, Kalb arrived to the statue 9:15 pm Monday night. Roughly 10 supporters cheered as Kalb collapsed onto the monument’s base in tears from both exhaustion and happiness.
“That statue was the third most beautiful thing I had ever seen, right behind my mother and girlfriend,” said Kalb.
Terrains ranged from steep hills and rough roads, placing a serious toll on Kalb. With his feet blistered, every step toward his goal was wrought with pain. Kalb wore two knee wraps to help with pain, and by day three, he had a cane to help stabilize his body. Kalb walked the entire day four on the beach to give his feet more comfort.
“I wanted to test my mental and physical strength while also help bring attention to a very underrated problem in our schools,” said Kalb. “I hope to inspire anybody who has reached rock bottom in their life, that no matter how far in life you fall, you can always get back up and do extraordinary things.”
The Naval Construction Force is a vital component of the U.S. Maritime Strategy. The force provides deployable battalions capable of providing disaster preparation and recovery support, humanitarian assistance and combat operations support.
Date Taken: | 12.01.2014 |
Date Posted: | 12.03.2014 11:40 |
Story ID: | 149272 |
Location: | PORT HUENEME, CALIFORNIA, US |
Web Views: | 86 |
Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Tormented during childhood, NMCB 3 Sailor walks 200 miles for anti-bullying crusade, by SN Curtis Lee, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.