Minneapolis, Omaha to Ruck Up Against Suicide Oct. 25

PHOTO: Ruck Up for Life-Omaha  Metro

Midwestern activists seeking to increase awareness against military veteran suicides will conduct 23-mile "Ruck Up for Life" events Oct. 25, 2014 in Omaha, Neb./Council Bluffs, Iowa and in Minneapolis, Minn.

The distance is symbolic of the 23 U.S. veterans per day who are estimated to take their own lives. The events are open to both military/veteran and civilian participants, who will each carry backpacks weighing from 25 to 35 pounds. Participants will walk/march as a team.

The first "Ruck Up for Life" event was conducted in 2013, organized by Iraq War veterans Landon Steele and James Blumenschein, who were moved to action after five soldiers from their unit of 160 had committed suicide.

A portion of proceeds from the Minnesota event will go to the family of Timothy S. Lisk, 24, who died Aug. 21st, 2014. The remainder will go toward The Next Objective, a Minnesota non-profit organization that keeps veterans engaged and connected by providing grants for gym memberships, and challenge events such as mud runs and ruck marches.

The Minnesota event will launch from VFW Post 246, 2916 Lyndale Ave. S, Minneapolis, shortly after 8 a.m. Click here for a route map. Volunteers are needed for safety and health tasks along the route.

For a Facebook page for the Minnesota event, click here.

The Nebraska/Iowa event will launch from Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs, Iowa, shortly after 8 a.m. For a route map, click here.

For a Facebook page for the Nebraska/Iowa event, click here.