CENTER TWP — Army veteran Joshua Marshall passed through Butler County in the midst of a 1,300-mile walk from his home in Wisconsin to New York City to raise awareness of veteran suicide and fulfill his dream of becoming a photographer.

The 37-year-old, whose struggles with alcoholism and depression led him to consider suicide, said his journey has taken a couple unexpected turns.

Not long after leaving his home in Fort Atkinson on April 10, he discovered the 90 pounds of gear he packed was too heavy.

Then, while taking time to explore Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio last week, he had an encounter with a gang of ticks.

Fatigue and flu-like symptoms struck Monday when he arrived at the bed and breakfast that military mother Deb Anspach runs at her Country Acres Horse and Pack School in Harrisville.

She drove him to VA Butler Healthcare to get checked out.

“They took blood tests. They don't think it's Lyme disease — probably just fatigue,” Marshall said.

A personal journey

The aspiring, self-taught photographer hoping to make it big in the Big Apple is documenting his trek on his website www.experiencedttlphotography.com and is using the journey as a GoFundMe project accessible at www.gofundme.com/1000-miles-to-start to raise money.

A third of the proceeds will cover the expenses of his walk. A third will be donated to Mission 22, a nonprofit organization offering programs for veterans, veteran families and communities to battle veteran suicides. A third will go to DV Farm, a New Hampshire nonprofit that helps homeless veterans reintegrate into civilian life.

“I needed to start living my life. I needed to pursue by dreams. If I can inspire some people along the way, that's a win,” Marshall said.

He didn't serve in combat and realizes many veterans are dealing with greater hardships than he is, but he struggled after seeing a fellow soldier die.

Marshall was a combat engineer clearing landmines in Korea for a year and a half of his three years of service from 1999-2001 when he saw a newly arrived soldier get killed while driving an armored bulldozer.

“He was young. He came up on a berm and flipped his vehicle. As far as we could tell, he was killed instantly. It seems petty. There's guys who have seen worse than me,” Marshall said.

However, the incident led him to abuse alcohol and resulted in occasional bouts with anxiety.

After leaving the Army, he served three years in the Wisconsin National Guard.

He began studying Internet technology in college but quit after one semester.

“It wasn't for me,” Marshall said.

He said he was arrested “multiple times” for driving while intoxicated and spent time in prison in his home state.

“About a year ago, I was struggling with alcoholism and depression and suicidal tendencies. I'm not sure if it's related to my PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), but suspect it was. It kind of popped in my head to walk to New York. If I can help somebody along the way, all the better,” Marshall said.

His goal is to walk to New Hampshire, circle back to New York to spend time exploring the Catskill Mountains, arrive in New York City by July 3 to celebrate Independence Day and try to land a job in a photography studio and find an apartment.

“I hope to hit the ground running when I get there. It won't happen overnight. I want to work toward it. I've always been an artist. Photography is my passion,” Marshall said.

Military mother

Marshall picked the right place for a little rest and support in Butler County.

“I had two sons in the Marines,” Anspach said. “Both in Iraq.”

One of her sons, William, who lives in Los Angeles still has shrapnel in one leg from a rocket-propelled grenade and a second son, David, lives in Morgantown, W. Va.

“A lot of vets come back with PTSD. They both have it. Both of my sons have been through two divorces because the military is not doing enough to work with the families and spouses,” Anspach said. “They've been shot at. They've killed people. They've seen kids get killed. Then they throw you back into society and you don't know how to function anymore.”

Her daughter, Krystal, served stateside an Army medic, she said.

Anspach served as a Key Volunteer, supporting family of service members, when her sons were deployed about eight years ago.

Training to be a Key Volunteer involved two meetings.

“Two meetings is not enough to teach you how to deal with someone who shuts down,” Anspach said.

Anspach said she is happy to help Marshall in his journey.

“I'm very thankful for what he's doing to bring awareness. To me it's a worthwhile cause. I come from a military family. I will help him anyway I can,” she said.