This story discusses suicide. In the event you or somebody you recognize is having ideas of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Disaster Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Eleven veterans, women and men, have simply walked from Maine to Massachusetts to lift consciousness about one thing they’ve all skilled: PTSD.
June is PTSD Consciousness Month, and this 12 months a gaggle of 11 veterans walked 100 miles over a five-day interval to lift consciousness of the important concern dealing with so many navy veterans.
The PTSD Century Hike began on Monday, June 10, in Kittery, Maine, the place the veterans started mountain climbing. They went by means of New Hampshire and ended up in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on Friday, June 14.
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PTSD, or post-traumatic stress dysfunction, is thought to be frequent amongst fight veterans who return house from their service.
Seven out of each 100 veterans may have PTSD sooner or later of their life, the U.S. Division of Veteran Affairs notes.
Fox Information Digital spoke with veteran John Schafer on day three of the journey, about 30 miles into the hike in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
The trouble to lift cash for Semper Fi & America’s Fund was going properly, he mentioned.
“I feel we’ve been properly acquired among the many neighborhood — all honking in assist,” he mentioned.
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He added that the workforce, as anticipated, had a couple of “little aches and ache right here and there.”
Semper Fi & America’s Fund, headquartered in Camp Pendleton, California, is a company that gives monetary help and assist for critically wounded, unwell and injured service members and veterans. It additionally assists navy households in want, in accordance with the group’s web site.
The Texas-based veteran spent 9 years within the U.S. Marines and was deployed 3 times. He suffers from PTSD after surviving a number of mind accidents from explosions whereas in fight.
After discovering assist and energy by means of train, Schafer partook within the 2023 PTSD Century Hike — and mentioned it modified his life.
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“Final 12 months … I got here in form of unprepared, however the influence it had on my life, the folks that I met, the bodily and psychological facets and the way it modified my life was one thing I used to be like, ‘I’ve to do that once more,’” he mentioned.
Schafer mentioned he was not solely extra ready for the five-day hike this 12 months — together with having the right sneakers and doing bodily coaching beforehand — however he mentioned it was one thing he was wanting ahead to for a number of causes.
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“I did final 12 months’s hike in Kansas, so I received to return this 12 months form of like a mentor,” he mentioned.
“The unstated bond and brotherhood is there.”
He famous that some issues within the navy “by no means die,” as he likes to hold at the back of the group to ensure there aren’t any “stragglers.”
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“We’re all right here for one commonality, and it’s affected us in varied methods, so the unstated bond and brotherhood is there,” he mentioned.
“It’s a special friendship,” he added, “while you meet someone who has endured an identical path of life like now we have.”
When Schafer spoke with Fox Information Digital round mile 30, he mentioned the climate was nice — even saying the group hiked over half of the day earlier than alongside the seashore, having fun with a pleasant breeze and examine.
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Final 12 months, Schafer was certainly one of 9 who hiked 105 miles from Kansas to Missouri in mid-90-degree warmth and humidity.
“We received fortunate with this hike — it was a lovely day,” he mentioned, recalling day two of the journey.
The veteran detailed assembly this 12 months’s hikers — 5 of whom are returnees.
He mentioned connecting with individuals who have skilled one thing just like what he is been by means of is what has made the expertise “life-changing.”
“It’s a special friendship while you meet someone who has endured an identical path of life like now we have.”
On the fourth day of the hike, the veterans witnessed a automobile accident in entrance of their eyes.
Schafer advised Fox Information Digital the group stayed on the scene, helping the victims, till first responders arrived.
“After discovering out what the PTSD Century Hike was all about, one of many responding law enforcement officials tore the patch off his uniform for us to hold with us in reminiscence of an officer who died by suicide in 2019,” he mentioned.
Later that day, the group met again up with the officer to take a photograph.
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On Friday, June 14, at round 9:15 a.m. ET, the hikers completed their 100-mile hike on the one and solely Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
The New England Patriots Basis and New England Revolution Basis hosted a particular finish-line ceremony for supporters to look at the 11 veterans full the 5-day problem.
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The veterans will even be honored at halftime in the course of the New England Revolution soccer match on June 15.
Schafer mentioned that he hopes to have an effect on only one individual positively within the hope that the trickle-down can be monumental.
Anybody can be taught extra on the Semper Fi & America’s Fund web site.