Local Veteran To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro To Support Sitrin

A Vietnam Veteran and Boonville resident will take part in a nine-day expedition to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to support Sitrin Health Care's Military Rehabilitation Program.

In February, 69-year old Paul Fortin will climb more than 19, 300 feet above sea level.

For 1,000 feet he scales, Fortin asking friends, family and the community to donate $1 to his team, Boonville VFW Post 5538, which will be taking part in Sitrin's Stars and Stripes Run-Walk in September.

Fortin says he's up to the task of climbing to the top of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

He says if you can walk a mile in less than 20 minutes and you can walk for an hour or so, you should be able to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Fortin says the mountain is a hike and there's no technical climbing involved at all.

How does one train for the climb?  Fortin says he walks, snow shoes and cross country skis in the winter and he also hikes, bikes and runs

To support Fortin's fundraiser, visit firstgiving.com/fundraiser/paul-fortin