By MICKI McCARTHY
For The Weekly Post
ELMWOOD – This is the fifth year of the annual RUCK 22 – John Pettit Memorial Walk to help bring awareness to veterans suffering with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and veteran suicide.
The walk will be held Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 a.m. in Elmwood.
“People of all ages are invited to walk to honor those who suffer silently, those we have lost and those we hope to help,” said Brett Powers, event organizer and member of Archie Miles VFW Post 4724.
Since the first event in 2021, the RUCK 22 Memorial Walk has raised $35,000, with approximately $18,000 going to Freedom Paws Service Dogs, an organization in Chillicothe that provides service dogs to veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD. In addition, about $9,000 has supported the Kimi & John Pettit Memorial Scholarship for Elmwood High School senior students.
The walk also supports the Archie Miles VFW Post 4724, which is an integral partner in this event and in the tireless support of veterans.
Through government studies of veterans, between 11% and 20% of service members returning from combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and the Gulf War experience some form of PTSD. It is estimated that as many as 30% of Vietnam veterans suffer from PTSD.
PTSD is a mental-health problem that develops after someone has experienced or witnessed a life-threatening, traumatic event. This not only affects the veteran but their families and friends.
On average, 17.5 veterans a day commit suicide. While there has been a slight decrease in veteran suicides over the past few years, losing one service member to suicide is one too many. The goal of RUCK-22 is to not only shed light on this silent battle that many veterans fight but to help fellow service members through their struggles of daily life.
The walk was named in memory of John F. Pettit III. John grew up in Elmwood. As a member of the Army Special Forces, John compled three tours in Afghanistan. John passed away in 2015. He was 36.
Participants will have three distances to choose from: 2.2 miles, 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) or 22 miles. Ruck sacks are optional.
The walk will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. at the Veterans War Memorial in Central Park in Elmwood. The routes will lead participants through Elmwood, past the Archie Miles Memorial in Elmwood Township Cemetery, Sgt. 1st Class John Pettit and his sister Kimi Pettit’s resting places, past Elmwood High School and through various streets in town.
For more information, find Ruck 22 – Elmwood, IL on Facebook, or contact the VFW at ruck22walk@gmail.com.
