Chris Shearer

Contributing Writer

BERLIN – While most people will be watching the St. Patrick’s Day Parade from a beach chair on an Ocean City curb or a handcrafted float, three friends will likely be celebrating their tribute the day before to a Medal of Honor winning Vietnam Vet.

Pat Keough, Carl Biersack and Mike “Murphy” Faber will be starting a 26.2-mile “marathon” walk on March 11 at 6 a.m. at the Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach and they hope to arrive at the Ocean City Inlet around 3 p.m. later that afternoon. The walk is being held to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and to honor Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Rocky Versace, who was the first American to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic actions as a POW during the war.

“There are two ceremonies held each year in Alexandria for Captain Versace. We feel he has been recognized and want to ensure he continues to be,” said Faber.

The three friends have known each other for over 30 years and are all military veterans. Faber and Keough have participated in three Marine Corps Marathons together and many others individually. Despite being in their 60’s, the men aren’t quite through with their marathon days and are looking forward to Friday’s walk.

Faber was involved in the campaign to award Versace with the Congressional Medal of Honor that began after the captain was killed while in captivity and culminated in Versace being awarded in 2002. Faber was made an honorary member of Versace’s graduating class for his efforts to have Versace awarded the medal. Versace’s willpower and selflessness are inspiring to all three men and they see the marathon as a fitting tribute and a celebration of his heroic legacy.

Keough says preparation began for the marathon last month, as their trek pitted them against the weather as well as the distance they were attempting to cover.

“The temperature that first day was 27 degrees, with winds gusting up to 40 mph and a wind-chill of 8 degrees,” said Faber. “If we can do 19.5 miles in that weather, we should be able to complete the 26.2 miles in better weather.”

As for the future, the men hope to see this marathon-like walk develop into an annual event.

“I hope it can be a walk we make every year,” said Faber.  “The route is gorgeous and it seems like a natural fit.”