Joe " Tiger " Patrick II ( born July 30 , 1963 ) is a Peace Dale , Rhode Island Army veteran . During his almost 10 years in uniform , Patrick served in Operation Desert Storm . After the 9/11 attacks , Patrick volunteered for three weeks at Ground Zero . During the time at Ground Zero , Patrick developed an affinity for firefighters . In 2011 Patrick completed a memorial walk . The purpose was to honor the families and loved ones of those lost , as well as the first responders in the 9/11 attacks . Patrick has walked across the United States to increase awareness of the U.S. service member casualties resulting from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq , the journey took approximately six months and began in April 2013
9/11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Joe "Tiger" Patrick II