The Warriors Walk is a Not-For-Profit Corporation in Illinois and is made up of a collaboration of multiple VFWs, American Legions, businesses, and schools in the Chicago area that have come together to support the mission to end Veteran suicide. The Warriors Walk was incepted by our Founder Ryan Brazel in 2019 and has been directly supported by the Harry E Anderson VFW Post #9545. In its success, the Warriors Walk is growing at an exponential rate and is working towards a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. The Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post #1977 has made the leap from a lead supporter to a managing partner for the Warriors Walk as we grow into our own entity. It will take an Army, but together we can work towards ending Veteran suicide.
The Warriors Walk is a free event dedicated to raising awareness for Veteran suicide prevention through a ruck march. A ruck march, a longstanding military tradition, involves walking while carrying a backpack or weighted pack, symbolizing strength, perseverance, and unity. Participants can choose from the following distance options:
*The Memorial Mile (1 mile) *5K (3.1 miles) *5 miles *10 miles *20 miles The ruck march takes place annually on the second Saturday of September, starting at 9:00 AM at the New Lenox Village Commons (1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox, IL). Marchers will proceed east along the Old Plank Road Trail, a scenic route managed by the Will County Forest Preserve. Halfway points for each distance will be marked, and participants will turn around to complete the march back at the Village Commons. Join us for this powerful event as we ruck together to honor our Veterans and raise awareness for suicide prevention. For more details and to register for the walk, please click below. Together, we can ruck toward a brighter future for our Veterans.
The Warriors Walk is committed to making a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families. All proceeds raised through fundraising, events, sponsorships, and partnerships go directly to The Headstrong Project, a non-profit organization providing confidential, barrier-free, and stigma-free mental health care. About The Headstrong Project: Headstrong specializes in PTSD treatment for Veterans, Service Members, and their families. Their program offers:
*30 cost-free therapy sessions for trauma treatment. *Extended therapy options with a client copay directly to the therapist. *Uninterrupted access to mental healthcare across their program markets.
Headstrong ensures a personalized approach by partnering with world-class clinical professionals across the country. Their extensive network, combined with telehealth capabilities, maximizes accessibility while ensuring an excellent therapist-client match.
By supporting The Warriors Walk, you’re helping provide life-changing mental health services to those who have served our country. Together, we can create a future where every Veteran has access to the care they deserve.
Roughly every ninety minutes, a Veteran commits suicide. That equals a staggering 22 Veterans a day. In one year, more Veterans commit suicide then the total number killed in action during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. Veteran suicide has long plagued the United States in its war on terror. It is estimated that in ten years of the US measuring suicide rates, the rates are comparable to those killed in action of the Vietnam War. The number of Veterans that returned with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and other untreated diagnoses is too much for the service member to bear alone; they need help.
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Read as The Headstrong Project highlights our Founder, Ryan Brazel’s, journey to creating one of the most impactful organizatons that has partnered with The Headstrong Project
