Army veteran to honor fallen soldiers during Veteran's Day weekend

Saluting the fallen

Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient, John Smith, is preparing to honor his fallen comrades this Veteran's Day weekend. Smith, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, will be participating in a 24-hour ruck march to raise awareness for veteran suicide and to pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The ruck march will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on November 11-12. Smith will be carrying a 35-pound pack and walking for 24 hours straight. He is hoping to raise $10,000 for the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to veterans and their families.

The importance of remembrance

For Smith, this ruck march is a way to honor his fallen comrades and to raise awareness for the issue of veteran suicide. "I've lost too many friends to suicide," he said. "This is my way of honoring them and making sure that their deaths were not in vain."

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 20 veterans die by suicide each day. That's more than twice the rate of suicide among the general population. The IAVA estimates that as many as 30% of veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and that PTSD is a major risk factor for suicide.

How to help

If you are concerned about a veteran in your life, there are a few things you can do to help. First, reach out to them and let them know that you care. Second, encourage them to seek professional help if they are struggling with PTSD or other mental health issues. Third, donate to organizations like the IAVA that provide support and resources to veterans and their families.

By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that our veterans are getting the support they need and that they know that they are not alone.

Conclusion

Army veteran John Smith is an inspiration to us all. His dedication to honoring his fallen comrades and raising awareness for veteran suicide is a reminder of the importance of remembering those who have served our country. We can all do our part to support our veterans by reaching out to them, encouraging them to seek help, and donating to organizations that provide support and resources to veterans and their families.