Returning veterans don't often think about seeking help for themselves.

But a Duluth, Minn., man wants to raise awareness of Disabled American Veteran chapters and hopes veterans coming home from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan take advantage of the services.

"The attitude of returning veterans is always, 'There's somebody that needs it more than me,'" Paul Halverson said Tuesday morning.

Halverson began a bicycle voyage from Everett, Wash., on May 15 and plans to end his trip in Bangor, Maine, in August. He's taking U.S. Highway 2 for most of his trip, with a detour into Canada, once he arrives at Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

He'll take Michigan State Highway 28 to Sault Ste. Marie, then bike into Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario, eventually heading south into upstate New York before getting back on U.S. 2 in Vermont. He'll then cross east into New Hampshire and finally Maine. He arrived in Williston at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday and left Tuesday morning. The 62-year-old Vietnam veteran served two tours of duty in there with the 25th Infantry Division and the 9th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in March 1969, and upon returning home, suffered from hearing loss, post-traumatic stress disorder and side effects from exposure to Agent Orange.

While in Vietnam, he began suffering from Agent Orange exposure and doctors there didn't yet know its effects. He was told it may be an infection and that he simply needed to change his boots on a regular basis.

It wasn't until a few years later the impact of Agent Orange became known. Thanks to his membership in the Chapter 6 DAV of Duluth, Halverson has received help and support throughout his life.

This is why he encourages returning veterans to become members of their local DAV's and get examined for war-related side effects. He also hopes DAV chapters receive donations as a result of his travels. Some people have the misconception that DAV chapters receive money from the federal government, when in fact they rely on donations, he said.

"The DAV is all about building better lives for veterans and their families," Halverson said.

Halverson began planning for the trip last October by researching the best route to take. He began exercising in December and ended up losing 40 pounds. During his trip, he's made stops at DAV offices and is camping unless rain is in the forecast. Then he chooses to stay in motels.

He pulls 55 pounds worth of supplies such as a sleeping bag, medication and a cell phone in a small trailer hitched to his bicycle. He has enjoyed taking in the country, but the head winds he's run into have made it difficult to pedal as fast as he'd like. He's cautious not to over-extend himself on his journey.

"Just listen to your body; if it tells you to take a day off, do it," he said.

Once he's in Bangor, he plans to spend a few days there, as well as tear down his bicycle to have it shipped back to Duluth. He plans to take the train back home and hopes his journey makes a difference for veterans and DAV chapters.

"I can't do everything, but I can do something," he said.

Bob Evans, veterans officer for Williams County, met Halverson on Monday and is pleased with what he's doing for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

"It's kinda nice to see a Vietnam veteran have as much concern for the younger veterans," Evans said.

He also appreciates the attention Halverson is calling to the DAV.

"I think the most underrated (veteran services) organization is the DAV. They stay focused on their mission, and that is to provide service for other disabled veterans and they try to find ways in which to provide that service," Evans said.

The DAV is a nonprofit veteran's organization, chartered by Congress.