For the second straight year, a New Jersey man has made it has mission to walk for those facing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Michael Dowens, a US Navy veteran, marked his second ruck walk to raise money and awareness for PTSD.

This year, he started in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 31, and ended at the VWF in East Brunswick. Last year, he did the reverse, starting his journey in Jersey and ending in D.C.

News 12 caught up with Dowens on the tail-end of his journey, on South River Road in Cranbury. He was walking with his service dog, ruck sack and an American flag.

"My feet have held up a lot better, still in a lot of pain, but overall I've made improvements," he said. "We didn't get hit with rain until we got into New Jersey this year. Last year, I got stuck in rain in Philadelphia and the entire trip was brutal."

Dowens is a Holmdel police officer who was honorably discharged, and has PTSD. He and his wife founded Unbroken Warriors to help Veterans cover costs associated with treating the affliction. 

He received a hero's welcome upon his arrival at the East Brunswick VFW.