SOLON — The second annual Ruck 22 walk to raise awareness of veteran suicide, estimated by some at 22 per day, was held Saturday morning. Organizer Doug “Doc” Thompson, Chaplain for the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 and a Navy corpsman (combat medic) assigned to the Fleet Marine Force in Vietnam, knows all too well the demons that can torment veterans. The 2.2-mile walk honored veterans while recognizing their struggles through symbolism such as the distance, the $22 entry fee, $22 commemorative shirts, and some participants (such as Thompson) wearing either a 22-pound vest or a 22-pound backpack.

Proceeds from the event, which worked it’s way from the Legion, through Solon, and back to the Legion with approximately 90 participants, went to Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience (IVOE), a Solon-based all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing hunting and fishing expeditions for veterans. To date the organization has directly impacted at least 19 veterans who were actively contemplating suicide.

Some walkers, such as Army veteran and retired Iowa City and Solon firefighter Denny Hansen, were sponsored with the Solon Firefighters Benevolent Association donating $200 in Hansen’s name.

For more information on IVOE and their mission of supporting veterans call 319-631-0334 or go to www.iowaveteransoutdoorexperience.com. IVOE is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ IowaVeteransOutdoorExperience, which includes a link to make a donation. Help is available 24/7 for veterans in crisis or concerned loved ones through the Veterans Crisis Line. Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255 or chat online at www. veteranscrisisline.net.

Thompson summed up the event’s ultimate goal saying, “We want to save lives.”