Young man carries 50 lb cross for 50 miles

50 miles carrying a 50 pound cross and barefoot nonetheless. This is what 19-year-old, Richard Pope, from Seaford plans to do Friday night. His reason is simple.

Pope says, “It’s to show the community hope and to raise awareness for the 50,000 homeless veterans. We want to show everyone that no matter the weight of your troubles, the pain you’re in or the distance you have to go that there is hope.”

Pope trained for four months to do this—going to the gym 6 times a week—but it’s more than just a show of strength and endurance. He’s carrying the prayers of many, written all over the cross.

“These are actually things that people poured out to us and entrusted us with to have pride for them and march with them. We just want to kind of unite the community in the fact that there is hope, there is light,” he explains.

Pope’s passion for helping veterans started at a young age. He tells 47 ABC that his grandfather, a prisoner of war in Vietnam and his father who served in the military both struggled with PTSD.

After seeing their pain he wanted to help, so last year he started Operation Yellowspear—a group of folks at his church and local community who provide assistance to veterans. They do anything from meals to resource assistance or even a shoulder to lean on. But this time, it’s more than that.

“So I mean this is different because these are–I’m carrying people’s burdens and I’m hopefully going to see people pray for them and love on them I mean it’s just honestly it’s an honor,” explains Pope.  

Pope says this march and taking up his cross is all about hope and more than immediate needs. His journey starts at 6 p.m. tomorrow night. He starts his march at the Seaford Young Marine Facility, walk through downtown Georgetown and around the circle, come back through Laurel, and end at Seaford Wesleyan Church. He will then say a prayer for every message on the cross with his fellow church members

Pope admits he plans to take one four hour break sometime during his journey, but he says he expects to finish up on Sunday.