Go for a walk. Life changing advice from a WWII veteran

Before I came into this world both of my biological grandfathers had already left it. Fortunately for me, there was a man who would serve in their place when I needed grandfatherly wisdom and guidance. That man was Mr. Elvin Stutzman.

Mr. Stutzman was a quiet man. He barely spoke. You would always see him walking. He would walk for hours through the forests and coal holes of northeastern Pennsylvania.                                                         

During my impressionable teenage years, Mr. Stutzman taught me “how to do things.” Fundamental things and lessons that every young boy should learn in order to grow into a resourceful, capable man. The most profound lessons that Elvin Stutzman would teach me would come in my freshman year of college.

In my first semester I was given the assignment to interview and write about the oldest living member of my family or member of the local community. Elvin Stutzman was the oldest person I knew. Being a man who barely spoke I couldn’t image him agreeing to do an interview. However, when I asked he happily agreed. And to my astonishment, what I thought would be a brief interview turned out to be a conversation that would last several hours.

Through the strength of his back and by the sweat his brow, Elvin Stutzman earned everything he achieved in life. As a youth he volunteered to work in President Truman’s CC camps so that he could help financially support his family. He and his brother even tried their hands as bootleg coalminers to support the family. During World War II, he saw action serving as a U.S. Navy seaman in the Pacific Theater. After the war, he worked as a carpenter, a mechanic, and a factory worker.

In the interview, Mr. Stutzman calmly, quietly shared with me the dates, places, and facts of his life. But as he began to speak about his military experiences, his demeanor changed. Initially, his eyes shined bright and his voice rose as he reminisced about boot camp and the other young men with whom he would eventually become brothers in arms. But as quickly as the light had come into his eyes and the volume into his voice, his eyes grew dark, his words slowed and his voice fell to a whisper. Quietly, and ever so deliberately, Mr. Stutzman shared intimate details of the hell, hardship and personal sacrifices of war. 

The stories that Mr. Stutzman shared with me that afternoon are not mine to retell. But I can share his explanation of why he was such a quiet man and why you could always find him out for a walk. He told me that at some point every man on his ship had made one promise or another to God just to get home safe. In his words “I just wanted to be home in the woods, free to go for a walk. During those long nights on that ship I had a lot to say to God. I think I pretty much said everything I ever needed to say to him or anyone else (period). I got my deal. I got to go home.…. most of the boys I served with weren’t so lucky.”

Until that afternoon, Mr. Stutzman had taught me many things, but he never “shared advice.” Before the interview ended he made it a point to share the benefits of “going for a walk.”

• If you’re angry, go for a walk and walk until you are too tired to be angry.
• If you’re unsure about something, go for a walk and keep walking until you figure it out.
• If you’re not happy with where you are, you’re free to get up and walk somewhere else.

His advice was somewhat lost on a college freshman. It would be nearly two decades until Mr. Stutzman’s advice would ring true for me. 

 In 2007, I was in the midst of divorce proceedings, child custody battles, career stagnation, and personal doubts. Late one night in the summer of 2007 I woke up in a panic and a cold sweat. I was angry about nearly every aspect of my life. I was unsure of myself and my future. I was horribly unhappy with where I was in life. It was time to go for a walk. The advice that Mr. Stutzman had given me so long ago was playing over and over in my head. Get up and go for a walk. Go for a walk. YOU NEED TO GO FOR A WALK.      

I believe my walk may have been more than what Mr. Stutzman had in mind when he gave me his simple advice. On my walk, I back packed and hitch hiked through Central America for nearly a month.I hiked through jungles, climbed ancient ruins, explored caves, kayaked with caymans and went diving off the coast of Belize. While I was by myself, I was never truly alone on my journey. Along the way I met amazing individuals whom I believe I was destined to meet.  I walked until I was too tired to be angry. I found peace. I walked long enough to find the answers I had been seeking. I had a plan to return home and move on to a new life.  

This week marks the 10 year anniversary of my walk. It is seemingly appropriate that Veterans day is November 11th. The advice of a veteran once helped turn my life around. However, I will forever owe a debt of gratitude for more than just sage advice. I owe my freedom to the actions of Elvin Stutzman and to the actions of countless other men and women who have answered the call to serve and protect our great nation.

I plan on taking a short walk on November 11th to celebrate the occasion. When I see a veteran, or a man or woman in uniform I will thank them for their service. I will gladly listen to their stories. I will always stand proudly to honor them. I encourage everyone to stretch their legs and do the same.