Veterans Ruck March to Prevent PTSD Suicides

Carry the Fallen Ruck March to Raise Awareness of Veteran Suicide
NBC 26
Stacy Engebretson
June 18, 2014

Green Bay, WI -- Mark Bonovetz and Mike Meyer are training for a ruck march.

"Grueling is a good word for it," chuckles Meyer.

They're rallying dozens of people to put on a 45 pound backpack and walk 12 hours straight through the Green Bay area.

"28 miles on foot. I don't think there's people that drive 28 miles in their car during the course of the day," said Bonovetz.

It's all to raise awareness of post traumatic stress disorder in veterans which can lead to suicide.

"22 veterans a day on average commit suicide which is 22 too many," Bonovetz explains.

Meyer adds, "I lost my cousin to PTSD."

Meyer will bring a picture of his cousin, Daniel Amerson, on the Carry the Fallen ruck march. Bonovetz will have a photo of 25-year-old Jeremy Pearson of De Pere who also recently died by suicide.

"He was always laughing and always happy. You would never guess that he was depressed," said Kayley French.

After the tragic loss of French's boyfriend, she helped organize the Jeremy Pearson Memorial Silent Auction which will be held during the ruck march.
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