BillieTreks4Vets Raises Funds
BillieJo Garcia is an avid hiker, doing most of her hiking in the mountains, and she thoroughly enjoys it, especially when a waterfall is involved. My dad has always been one to love hiking. I would spend evenings talking with him about places he’s been. I’ve always said one day I will thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. He would laugh at me because at that point I had not ever put so much as a pinky toe on a trail. My love for trails began with him and his stories.
Ms. Garcia is also the mother to three servicemen—the eldest, Zack Ezell who is an Army veteran, his brother, Lance Corporal Bailey Ezell who is a Marine currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, and her youngest, a 2021 graduate of Jasper County High School, Airman Andrew Garcia who recently graduated from basic training.
In honor of his graduation, Ms. Garcia asked to have flags flown over the U.S. Capitol building. When the flags arrived, they were not folded appropriately, so she reached out to find someone who knows how to fold a flag. She met Commander Kendra Pieper and others of the Monticello American Legion.
Ms. Garcia’s family has a significant history of family in the military. Her husband, Michael Garcia, is a veteran of the United States Air Force. Her Grandpa Puckett served in the U.S. Navy, and her Papaw Sturgeon served in the Army during the Korean War.
I have uncles and a brother who all have served. I think my husband had the most influence on the boys. Because of his military background he was able to secure a solid career. Each of the boys have their own reasons for joining, but having a career without student loans was a big motivational factor.”
Ms. Garcia explains how she began hiking.
“After Bailey, my second son, left for the Marine Corps, my youngest son decided he would be joining the military as well. I started to experience what I call pre-empty nest syndrome. I found myself missing my adult children all the time. We are incredibly close and not having them home sent me into a depression. To combat the depression, I started camping. Camping helped, but it didn’t really do the trick.
“I joined a Facebook group for hikers called North Georgia Hiking and Adventures. There I started seeing pictures of these incredible views. One morning I woke up and said “That’s it, I’m going to hike Blood Mountain.” I told my family and they all thought I’d lost my mind. My Marine was convinced I’d die out there. But I didn’t care. I made my mind up and I was going.
“Armed with a military backpack, an older pair of sneakers I took off on my first eight mile hike. For the first time I forgot I missed my adult children while I was on that trail. I finally made it to the summit and my eyes could not comprehend the beauty I was seeing. I was hooked. I’ve been hiking ever since. What started out as solo day hiking eventually turned into solo backpacking adventures. I rarely hike less than 20 miles. There’s something empowering and healing about sleeping outside under the stars completely alone….. especially being a woman.
“People ask me….why don’t you hike with someone? They have normal fears for my safety. To be honest, no one gets excited to go on a 30 mile trek. And I’m not going to wait for someone else to decide to go.”
She now is working on establishing a 501(c)3 non-profit as she has turned her adventurous hobby into a fund raiser for charities, “Billietreks4vets.” June 4, she hiked in honor of Cpl. Curtis M Swenson USMC 1/3 weapons unit killed in action in Afghanistan April of 2010. She raised $1,000 for the Monticello Post 110, to show her thanks for their service to their community.
The next hike she has planned is to Mt. Leconte, a 6,824 elevation gain from her starting point. It’s in the Great Smoky Mountains, about a 30 mile trek that she will take next month. This hike will be dedicated to Commander Kendra Pieper for her bravery and courage. Kendra is a Monticello native. Despite her injuries, she is a prominent figure within the community. She is an entrepreneur, Legion Commander, and a motivational speaker. That’s someone worth recognizing said Ms. Garcia.
I believe in paying it forward. I’m letting “Ms. Kendra” pick the next American Legion post for the donation. After I complete my hike, I will take all money raised and donate it to a Post of her choosing. The goal is $1,000. Ms. Garcia uses crowdfunding and social media to promote her cause and all donations are used for her cause. She said she would hike anyway, so she doesn’t need to keep any funds. She uses TikTok to raise awareness, and she has been very successful. Ms. Garcia says love is an action word, and in hiking the mountains maybe she can move mountains for a deserving veteran.
Anyone interested in donating, or following Ms. Garcia’s adventures, may follow her on Facebook @BillieTreks4Vets.
