SANTA CRUZ -- A missing Air Force veteran, said to have PTSD and who planned to ride his bike through Santa Cruz County on a trip down the West Coast, has been found safe in Marin County, his family said.

Matthew Porter, 30, was riding from Portland, Ore., to Southern California and Arizona after an 11-year military career and two tours in Afghanistan,

his family said. He was reported missing after his family and friends lost touch with him in Mendocino County on Sept. 6.

Sunday, Porter called his brother, Scott Hallgren, to tell him he was OK.

Porter had been cycling and camping in Marin County when he lost his cellphone and caught pneumonia, Hallgren said.

After his family and friends searched for him and left fliers at campsites, Porter realized people were looking for him and called. He borrowed

someone's phone near the city of Bolinas, his family said.

Hallgren said Friday that he felt relieved when he heard his brother's voice -- then he got a bit frustrated with his brother for not calling.

"It was kind of a lightning-quick transition," Hallgren said.

Hallgren added that he was thankful for the people who helped them look for Porter and the media's publicity. Stories appeared and aired at several

news outlets including the Sentinel.

"I'm really appreciative of the community," Hallgren said. "We were really worried, but to see how many people cared means a lot to me."

Cooperation from law enforcement agencies was spotty, he added.

Hallgren said Porter, who has post-traumatic stress disorder, said he felt bad for the worry he caused.

Porter has resumed his journey through Central California.

Distributed by MCT Information Services

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