Paddle for Heroes Embarks on 8th Annual River Journey

ZANESVILLE, OH – Paddle for Heroes recently started their 8th Annual 160-mile journey from Mt. Vernon, Ohio to Marietta on May 19th.

They made a stop here in Zanesville today at Muddy Misers Restaurant to rest, relax, and enjoy the day.

Joseph Butts, Vice President of Paddle for Heroes, says the goal each day of the journey is to try to go at least 30 miles down the river.

Butts also says this kayak and canoe trip is to help raise awareness for first responders and veterans.

“It’s a veterans and first responders awareness kayak trip, we do have canoes too, we’ll accept the canoes,” Butts said. “We do this trip to raise awareness for veterans and first responders to create an avenue for comradery. Everybody who does this trip becomes friends, there’s guys out here who have been out here multiple times.”

Butts says they have dedicated this year’s paddle in honor of United States Marine Corps Corporal Nathan Anderson from Howard, Ohio, who was killed on November 12th, 2004 by enemy action in Anbar Province, Iraq.

He says that Corporal Anderson’s family was in attendance when they launched off to begin the trip.

“None of [his family] is on the trip but he had a good showing though when we launched,” Butts said. “His mother and his father were there and they all got to speak and we introduced ourselves, it was great. It’s awesome when the family comes out and can participate in some way and we really appreciate that.”

If you are interested in seeing where the Paddle for Heroes group is heading next or want to participate in the next event, you can find more information on their Facebook page.