Matthew Porter, an Air Force veteran reported missing while on a cycling trip from Portland through California reconnected with his family this weekend, his brother shared Sunday night.
Scott Hallgren, a San Jose State masters student who works with kids at the Buena Vista migrant camp, said an upwelling of community support helped spread the word that Porter, his younger brother, might be in trouble.
"People we had been trying to find, people who had been with my brother, found us because they say the story on the web and found my contact info from it," Hallgren said in an email to Patch. "Ultimately, my brother ended seeing the story, and found a flier, then called in."
Porter, 30, was on a soul-searching cycling adventure following an 11-year military career that included two tours of duty in Afghanistan. He last heard from while cycling in Mendocino County. That was more than two weeks ago.
Porter had lost his cell phone and also got sick, which led to the blackout on contact with his famiy, according to KION Central Coast News.
Hallgren also has said Porter struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and was feeling isolated, something common among vets.
"All the people who reached out to him gave him proof that he is well loved," Hallgren said in the email, thanking those who helped bring the family back together.
I have been following Matthew's story. I joined the group on FB. So glad this turned out well and Matthew... THANKS FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY and THANKS for your journey. HATS OFF TO MATTHEW. Randy
Here is a link: http://www.facebook.com/groups/434879179880927/ I also wanted to add that in doing some preliminary research, there are other groups dedicated to this same cause so I am hoping to add to that effort. I say this because I did not want my previous statement about launching a PTSD awareness campaign to sound like I was the first to bring this up. I am just hoping to take a grassroots approach to connecting community members about this.
So many of our homeless are veterans. These men and women FIGHT for our freedom and what do they get in return. POOR support from their own government that they fought for. SO SAD.