Former Marine veteran Wallace T. Stewart will participate in the 2014 Alcatraz Invitational Swim on Sept. 14. Stewart will swim 1.25 miles through the San Francisco Bay to raise funds for a Korean War memorial, according to Military Times. The swim will pose a distinct challenge, since San Francisco water temperatures are notoriously frigid. Stewart is up for it, though. His life after service has been an active one: In addition to being a veteran of the Korean War, he has already completed the swim seven times, according to the Korean War Memorial Foundation.
The KWMF stated that this year's swim is special for a few reasons. Stewart will be participating with his grandson, Tom. Additionally, the race will take place the day before Sept. 15 – the 64th anniversary of the U.S. Marine landing in Incheon. This landing was a precursor to the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, which was responsible for 1,000 deaths and 5,000 missing soldiers, noted Military Times.
Once adequate funds are raised, the Korean War Memorial will be built in the Presidio in San Francisco.