The Warrenton Fire Protection District had an unexpected guest Wednesday. But at least he brought his own quilt.Joe “Tiger” Patrick II, 50, is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm from Rhode Island. Patrick is currently walking across America — a total of 3,000 miles — to increase awareness of U.S. service members who died in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.His journey, which began in April in San Diego, Calif., is expected to take six months to complete. He will end his journey in Washington, D.C., at the Walter Reed Hospital.Along the way, Patrick has been staying overnight at VFW Posts, American Legions and firehouses. “I volunteered at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks,” he says. “So I developed an affinity for firefighters.”Patrick was diagnosed with degenerative liver disease in 2011, a disease that will gradually kill him. This inspired the 50-year-old to plan a memorial walk. So did guilt. Patrick wanted to re-enlist in the war in Iraq, but for health reasons he was denied.“I want to look my fellow servicemen in the eye when I cross over to the other side,” he says. He carries with him a canvas quilt that measures 25 feet long by 8 feet wide and covers 200 square feet. The quilt, which displays more than 6,600 color images of killed U.S. service members, weighs 50 pounds. Patrick says the purpose of the panel is to give a close up view to those lost and to provide people with the opportunity to see the faces behind the numbers.This is not Patrick’s first hike.On the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Patrick walked 650 miles from the Pentagon Memorial to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pa.Along with the panel, he is carrying a bat used by Dustin Pedroia, the Boston Red Sox second baseman. Along the way, wounded veterans are given the opportunity to autograph the bat. Patrick plans to auction the bat after he completes the trip, with proceeds to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. In addition, a fireman’s “turn out” coat from Union Fire Co. No. 1 in Carlisle, Pa., is being signed by firefighters all along the way.Patrick hopes to donate the coat to the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Md.Patrick calls ahead of time to the fire stations along his route asking them to attend a presentation, and for a place to spend the night.When he called Warrenton Fire Chief Mike Owenby, he was enthusiastically received, he says.While staying at the Warrenton fire station Aug. 14, Patrick was the only person on site when a man was brought in suffering from electrocution. Patrick called 911, and began administering CPR, until emergency personnel arrived.

Joe "Tiger" Patrick II, who is paying tribute to military members lost in Iraq and Afghanistan by walking across America, stopped by the Warrenton Firehouse last Wednesday with a quilt portraying every soldier lost in the wars. Pictured with Patrick, from left, are Matt Dabbs, Keegan Utley, Teddy Anderson, Patrick, Ashton Dabbs, Brett Owenby.