23rd Veteran Organization Sponsors “Nearly Naked Ruck March” February 27
By Mike Waldron
23rd Veteran, a Duluth area nonprofit veteran organization, will host the area’s first annual Nearly Naked Ruck March on Saturday, February 27 at 9:00 a.m. Veterans, military personnel and civilians are invited to hike 4.5 miles with weighted packs along Duluth’s Lakewalk wearing nothing but boots, hats, gloves and long underwear.
The hike is meant to be a fun way to build camaraderie among military personnel, veterans and civilians; raise funds for our local nonprofit organization, 23rd Veteran; and increase awareness for the very serious issue of veteran suicide—which has exceeded 110,000 nationally since 9/11.
“Five years after combat I fell into severe panic attacks and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Life was terrible for me every day. It became clear why someone would kill themselves. According to a Veterans Administration study, 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Since I came close to being one of the 22, I considered myself the 23rd Veteran.” – Mike Waldron, 23rd Veteran Executive Director
The mission of 23rd Veteran is to teach veterans how to live comfortably and successfully when they return from service.
Many veterans feel isolated when they return to civilian life. Our job is to reduce that isolation two ways.
First, by providing educational seminars on combat stress that teach veterans why and how their brains change in combat.
Secondly, by organizing physical and social events that encourage veterans to get out and build camaraderie with civilians.”
In the past year, 23rd Veteran events have included: climbing, rebuilding a World War II military jeep, retreats to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, hunting and fishing opportunities, physical fitness activities in the Twin Ports, and next up, the first annual 23rd Veteran Nearly Naked Ruck March.
23rd Veteran also educates the community about what can be done to create a more veteran friendly environment.
Last year, 23rd Veteran provided dozens of training sessions in various locations and organizations in the Twin Ports, including: University of Wisconsin-Superior, Minnesota Mental Health Conference, Cloquet Armory; Congressman Nolan’s Veteran Round Table, and the Wounded Warrior Project.
For more information on 23rd Veteran, or to register for the Nearly Naked Ruck March, visit 23rdveteran.org.
Contact Mike Waldron directly at (218) 355-8364, or at mike.waldron@23rdveteran.org.
Image copyrights property of 23rd Veteran.