Today is the start of a new year. I’m sure your Facebook feeds are riddled with posts about a “new year, new me” and about the new year’s resolutions. I’m sure that there are many fitness related ones – and we are all familiar with the humorous trope of gyms being filled to capacity with people that will eventually trickle off, their resolutions forgotten.
For the past few months, I have been mulling over what I want to change in my own life. I haven’t really been able to put my finger on any one individual thing. I’m happy with my fitness, I am lucky enough to have friends and family who love me and I am determined to greet the next year (and its challenges) with a positive and open mind.
More and more, I wanted to do *something* for society. I wanted to take my life and make something more of it. I racked my brain as I tried to find something that I could do to help make the world a better place. And then it occurred to me.
Every day, 22 veterans take their life. That comes out to over 8,000 men and women a year. These are men and women that have served our country in some capacity – some on the front lines in far off countries away from their families. These are men and women that need our help – and many of them are afraid or unable to get that help.
I want to offer that help. I want to help take a stand against the epidemic that is proliferating through our armed service members. I want to help in any way that I can.
I will spread the message at each race through some means – I’ll look for a race shirt talking about “The 22” and wear it at each race event. I’ll write across my body in sharpie. I’ll shout the message to the world. For those 22, I will run 22 miles in a month. I will run each mile in remembrance for those veterans that saw no way out but to take their own life. No matter what, I will run. And for each mile I run, I will donate money to Mission22 via their PayPal link. This may seem small, but know that I endeavor to run more than 22 miles and will round up the amount to the nearest “10” amount. I’ll post a tally each month of my miles. If you feel inclined, please match my donation. I don’t expect that of any of my readers – but I do want you to spread the word. Help me fight against this suicide epidemic!
These men and women served us admirably. Don’t they deserve more than to struggle alone against their own demons? I know what it is to feel the oppression of mental illness – I know what its like to look through the dark tunnel and not see an end in sight. I refuse to stand idly by while these demon takes someone’s friend, spouse, parent or child.
I’m standing with the 22 and taking a stand against veteran suicide. Who is with me?
Loving to Run Through Every Footfall 