22 mile hero walk coming to Mt. Pleasant

A 22-mile hero walk to honor the 22 veterans who commit suicide every day will take place in Mt. Pleasant this weekend.

The English River Outfitters, a nonprofit veterans support group in Washington, will sponsor the event. Participants will meet at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Middletown National Guard Reserve Center and will end at the Mt. Pleasant National Guard Reserve Center. Participants will walk along Highway 34 to raise awareness and show support for those suffering. There will be transportation for those who choose to only walk a portion of the way.

'It's not a money-raising thing, it's more about getting the word out there and spreading that word,' said organizer Gerald Kite.

That word is that there is hope for those experiencing suicidal thoughts or tendencies. The walk is a free event that requires no registration and is open to all ages. Participants are encouraged to wear yellow, the color associated with suicide awareness. Kite hopes that by walking and showing support, someone who needs the help will notice the group and be encouraged to take action.

'There's a lot of people that are suicidal that feel like they have no one else to talk to, so the more people they see walking around on the interstate out there, they're going to realize there are people and there is help,' he said.

Kite says the number of suicides is alarmingly high with veterans because many of them come home with PTSD or problems that stem from that. These can manifest and build into suicideal thoughts due to not knowing where to seek help or being too prideful to do so. He says that by walking participants are showing those with thoughts of harm that there is hope, and offering a new perspective to those who have never had those thoughts.

'If there are people that have never seen it before or have never been around anyone that's suicidal, hopefully they can be more aware,' he said. 'When you build awareness sometimes it just clicks in your head and you just find more information.'

Anyone wishing to walk is encouraged to meet at the Middletown National Guard Reserve Center at 6:30 a.m. The day will start with a prayer and the official walk will begin at 7 a.m. For more information Gerald Kite can be contacted at: the5kites@hotmail.com.