Paddle for Heroes announced its 10th Annual Memorial Paddle, scheduled for 2026, which will cover a 160-mile journey from Mount Vernon to Marietta. The event is dedicated to the memory of 1st Lieutenant Charles L. Wilkins of Columbus and Private First Class Ryan A. Martin of Mount Vernon, both killed in action on August 20, 2004, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
According to the organization, on August 20, 2004, soldiers from A Company, 216th Engineer Battalion were operating in Samarra when a blast struck their convoy’s lead Humvee. The incident resulted in the deaths of Wilkins and Martin.
Wilkins was a graduate of Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus and first served in the U.S. Air Force before joining the Ohio Army National Guard. He was pursuing law school at Capital University while working as a transportation planner for the Federal Highway Administration. Friends described him as witty and selfless; he volunteered to deploy with A Company to Iraq after putting his studies on hold.
Martin graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 2000 and joined the Ohio Army National Guard following the September 11 attacks. Known by his unit as "Big Bear," he was recognized for his humor and positivity. He enjoyed operating heavy equipment and aspired to work either as a heavy-equipment operator or alongside his father on their family farm.
The memorial paddle is described as a challenging six-day journey that covers nearly the entire Kokosing River Trail, Walhonding River Trail, and Muskingum River Trail. Participants are expected to paddle approximately 30 miles per day with daily paddling lasting up to twelve hours. The route includes checkpoints through towns such as Warsaw, Coshocton, Dresden, and Zanesville, and passes through the historic Muskingum River Lock System.
Paddle for Heroes is a non-profit based in Mount Vernon focused on supporting veterans, first responders, and their families through paddling activities that promote wellness and resilience.
