Fat Man Walking meets Hoosier war vet

[Guest guest]

"Fat Man Walking" meets Hoosier war vet http://fox59.trb.com/news/fatmanwalking2,0,6786632.storyRuss McQuaid January 25, 2006 One is a self-described "Fat Man Walking" across America to lose weight and find himself. The other is a decorated hero from a war long ago. Both met at a County elementary school Wednesday to share a message of perseverance and never-say-die attitude side-by-side to more than one hundred fourth graders.Steve Vaught is a San Diego man walking from the west coast to the east coast. He's been on the road since last April and expects to be in New York City by mid-March.Sergeant Sammy L. left sville in 1967 to serve in Vietnam and be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for saving the lives of three soldiers on a riverbank while under attack by more than a thousand Vietcong soldiers. ' battle provided the storyline for the movie exploits of "Forrest Gump." That's Sgt. ' Honor ceremony with President Lyndon B. in the movie. Unlike Forrest, Sgt. never dropped his pants to show the president where he was wounded (though, like Gump, was wounded in the back)."You don't lose until you quit trying," Sgt. told the students of Center Grove Elementary School as the youngsters passed his medal from hand-to-hand, each child rubbing the award and blue ribbon. It was that medal which was stolen from Sgt. and recovered from the White River last summer. "That medal that you're about to hold is the actual medal that you see in the movie. That's Forrest Gump's Medal of Honor."Vaught watched as the sergeant addressed the students. Prior to ' arrival, the former marine told the classes gathered in the school cafeteria about his own determination to complete as journey begun almost a year ago. "You can't think about stopping because once you start thinking about it, that's the first step in stopping. You have to set a goal. I said I was walking from San Diego to New York and I can't stop here because I'm not in New York yet."After the classes were dismissed and autographs were signed, Sgt. and Vaught (an ex-Marine) sat together and traded advice about military boots, backpacks and refusing to call it quits."Just hearing the story about Steve makes me even more determined to continue on so although he says that I have inspired him, he's inspired me and that's working the way its supposed to work, isn't it, brother?" said the sergeant as he slapped Vaught's knee. "I'm privileged to have been here and met you," said Vaught, exchanging a handshake with the Medal of Honor recipient. will be speaking at schools in Fishers on Thursday. Vaught is walking through the westside of Indianapolis along West Washington Street. Once he reaches downtown, the "Fat Man" says he intends to detour three blocks north along West Street and visit the Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial in Military Park.

Copyright © 2006, WXIN-TV, Indianapolis

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