WATSONVILLE, Calif. - Matthew Porter was on a trip of a lifetime, from Portland, Oregon to Southern California. He was making the whole trip by bicycle.
"Throughout the process he's been checking in with friends, he's called in, and on facebook shared details of his trip," said Scott Hallgren, Porter's brother.
But September 6th was the last time anyone heard from Porter, which worries Hallgren. Having gone through one tour in Afghanistan and one in Korea, Hallgren says Porter struggles with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
"I'm afraid in his weakened state, he trusted the wrong person and took a detour and is hurt someplace," said Hallgren.
Hallgren is no stranger to the Central Coast. One of his biggest passions has been helping kids of migrant workers in Watsonville. Hallgren launched an outreach program called the TOUUCH program (Tutor Outreach Uniting Communities for Change), at the Buena Vista migrant labor camp. It was created and run by college students in order to tutor kids.
That is why Hallgren is asking the community he's helped, to return the favor now. Hallgren said Porter was last seen in Caspar, CA, in Mendocino County, but said he could have made it to the Central Coast.
He hopes that by spreading the word, someone, somewhere knows where his brother might be.
"He loyally served and was a dedicated veteran by serving the country, and the one way we can show our appreciation is to help work on this together, and help bring him home," said Hallgren.
For more information or to help Hallgren you can visit their Facebook page here.
