The daily routine begins with a systematic application of tape, bandages, lotions and careful donning of socks and boots.  Not everybody is suffering the same aches, pains and blisters but all have experienced a variety of discomfort. After a month together we know each other quite well. We help each other out as well as…Read more The Camino is no vacation!

Kayoko Azuma is a slight Japanese artist who carries a backpack that looks to be larger than herself. She also ran the Barcelona Marathon last March and can outpace everybody else around here. She was so touched by the Veterans on the Camino group that she timed her Camino to meet up with us at…Read more Camino Moments

Many people weren’t around or don’t remember the Cold War, but Witold and I do and talk about how it was.   Both of us were young in our military careers when the Soviet Union was still alive.  Massive amounts of military forces were arrayed on opposite sides of the iron curtain.  Practicing war, missiles…Read more The Iron Curtain

I make a point of walking with each Veteran every day or two.  Several days ago I finally asked Piotr what had happened to the finger that is missing on his right hand.  The following is his story: He was deployed to Ghazni, Afghanistan in 2011 to work with the Afghan National Police.  On a…Read more Piotr

Left to right -Giovanni, French Foreign Legion Veteran.  Brad - founder of VOC and USN Seabee Veteran.  Piotr - Polish Navy Veteran.  Dan - USMC Veteran Witold pauses on the road for a photo After crossing the Pyrenees, we settle into a routine of walking, eating, sleeping and doing it all over the following day.…Read more The first 6 days

We had only met in person the day before when we linked up at the airport in Paris, the long train and bus journey to reach Saint Jean had provided some time to get to know one another.  Scratching the surface really. The night before our walk begins we have dinner together at a quaint…Read more Crossing the Pyrenees

Roads go ever on, Over rock and under tree, By caves where never sun has shone, By streams that never find the sea; Over snow by winter sown, And through the merry flowers of June, Over grass and over stone, And under mountains in the moon. Roads go ever ever on Under cloud and under…Read more Let the journey begin

Kat called me to ask a favor. She had worked with me in Africa some years ago and we had become friends, despite my sending her to a remote location in Africa for several months. “I’d like you to walk the Camino with a friend of mine.” “Sure thing, tell me about your friend.” Kat…Read more The Final Mission

Did your soldier give the ultimate sacrifice in the interest of preserving our freedoms? Are you interested in your soldier taking one more mission? On this spring 2018 Camino, our group will be able to carry the dog tags or bracelet for 2 Veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Once we have completed the 500…Read more The ultimate sacrifice

Brad Genereux (center) flanked by Polish soldiers in Malistan district, Ghazni province, Aghanistan 2008 As spring nears, Veterans on the Camino is busily preparing for the next journey, slated to begin in April. The veteran participants have now been selected and are preparing themselves for this 500 mile pilgrimage. This year, Veterans on the Camino…Read more Meet the Veterans who will be walking the Camino de Santiago