Man and dog biking from Chicago to San Diego for a worthy cause Posted On: Thursday, Nov. 26 2009 05:44 AM By Alicia Lacy
Killeen Daily Herald

He did it because of Antigone.

Marshall Lee, 40, was on the verge of taking his own life, but 6-year-old Antigone, the basset hound he rescued, stopped him from making the decision to go through with it.

And Lee and Antigone have been on the road for almost two months making a 3,000-mile trek from Chicago to San Diego – with a stop in Copperas Cove for Thanksgiving – to raise awareness for the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk-a-thon and basset hound rescues.

Lee was given a bicycle as a gift. With his lease ending, Lee said the idea for the trip came out of necessity.

As he sat wearing a white T-shirt with the Out of the Darkness logo emblazoned on it, Lee spoke about his depression as Antigone walked away.

Lee said his dog usually walks away when she hears him talk about the time in his life he struggled with suicide.

"Basset rescue is human rescue," he said. "Bike riding is overcoming depression and fighting against it in a more productive way."

In the early part of 2007, Lee lost his job. By August, after sending out resume after resume, Lee said his depression and suicidal thoughts began. He said there were nights when he didn't want to go to sleep knowing he would have to survive another day in his situation, and would have to convince himself to get out of bed or off the couch.

When Lee said he finally formed a plan to take his life, he thought about Antigone. As he played out each scenario in his mind, Lee said he thought about how Antigone might be watching and wondering what he was doing, or she might be without food and water, or she might have to go back into foster care.

One day he thought about leaving a note for his parents to take Antigone, but she would be a reminder of the son they lost.

In June, Lee participated in the Out of Overnight Walk-a-thon at Soldier Field in Chicago. While training for the walk, Lee said it was able to divert his attention and energy from his depression and suicidal thoughts.

"I started walking two to 16 miles," he said. "Doing the walk was purifying."

Then in July, Lee said he noticed he was happy after looking at a picture he took with friends. Since he began his trip on Oct. 1, Lee has traveled about 1,193 miles meeting new and old friends along the way and an official sponsor.

Lee not only wanted to raise awareness for basset rescues but other animal rescues as well. A veteran of the Gulf War, the South Carolina native left the Army and pursued a degree in English and music, and later earned his master's degree in English while in Chicago.

Monday morning, Lee will leave Copperas Cove and head west. Lee said he travels about 50 miles a day. Once he makes it to the Pacific Coast, Lee said he will be looking for a job anywhere in the Northwest.