I Walked 111 Miles In November To #StopSoldierSuicide

Posted on by

For those of you who have read this blog for years, or who have known me for a couple of decades, you know of my commitment to #SuicidePrevention. It’s more than just dialing 911 when someone is in extremis, or getting them to call 988 when things get rocky. It’s actively intervening. Never to take away a weapon or something unsafe, but to take the time to talk, give them the ride to the hospital, wait with them while the authorities come to provide the formal aid they need. 

This November I participated in a ruck march (walking with a weighted pack) to #StopSoldierSuicide. I started out with a 41 pound pack, and seeing the donations rolling in hot-and-heavy the first few days, I challenged you all to break the $1500 mark by the end of the first week. If you did, I would walk not 50, but 100 miles. Double the distance.

Well, my childhood buddy, Tom Melin, wrote a big check. I think he secretly wanted me to lose the weight, as he’s a good doctor as well as a great friend. But either way, I was now set to walk 100 miles in November.

 

I managed the first 50 miles with the heavy pack. Once I hit 50, I trimmed the pack to 22 pounds – a pound for every military life lost to suicide each day. An amazingly awful number I hope we conquer. 

I put some photos at the bottom, but the important thing is I raised not only funds, but awareness of the issue. I’d still like to break $3000 in the fundraising, and we’re very close. If you’ve got the money, even a $20 donation from 15 people will put us over the top. Here’s the link to my fundraiser page: https://www.facebook.com/donate/435512842044192/

 

I am humbled by your outpouring of support and love. And I walked the first and last mile of the march talking to my friend Pete Craig. We lost him several years ago to suicide. I still miss him. I might be nuts, but it did feel like we were out for a stroll. 

And now, here are some photos:

 

 

 

November 1, 2022

Company along the way

 

 

 

 

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 2

Posted on by

The Gospel of Luke tells the whole story of the Christ. It is done in 24 chapters. Consequently, every day in December I will be posting a new chapter of Luke until we get to Christmas. It is my hope that you share this with your friends, church, family and social media. 

It is also my hope that you will not take me as crass for listing two of my favorite audio books for sale below the Luke video. This is how I make my living, and if you like the way I read Luke, I suspect you’ll like the way I read these two fantastic books. The first is fiction by a best-selling author who stepped away for 10 years. He must have been perfecting his craft for this book is excellent. The second book is an auto-biography of a young submarine officer in the late sixties. I identified with this one as well, for I spent more than a minute of my life on the 637 class submarines doing my job as a spook. 

Now, for the Gospel of Luke: 

 

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 1

Posted on by

The Gospel of Luke tells the whole story of the Christ. It is done in 24 chapters. Consequently, every day in December I will be posting a new chapter of Luke until we get to Christmas. It is my hope that you share this with your friends, church, family and social media. 

 

Now, for the Gospel of Luke: 

I’m Not Actually Lazy

Posted on by

It might seem that way, fewer posts lately. But I have an excuse:  I’m walking 100 miles in November wearing a heavy pack, editing a book I’ve cowritten with my friend Rodger Ruge, and living life in addition. Tomorrow I start a new audio book. And Santa started last weekend.

Needless to say, that’s kept me hopping. Also, doing the mentor thing. But it’s not that I am purposely neglecting the blog, it’s just that it fell through the cracks. 

There will be a piece of flash fiction next week. In the meantime, here’s a dog picture. 

 

The Ruck March Booms Along

Posted on by

Last week I announced that I was doing a 50 mile ruck march to Stop Soldier Suicide. I challenged the world to exceed my $1500 goal by last Saturday and I’d double the miles I walked. (My personal link is down below.)

Well, that means that instead of having 17 miles left to walk, I’m behind by 67 miles. Yes, you all met the goal. And my back, legs, and feet all want to thank you. I’ll be in great shape when this is done!

Now, another challenge:  Let’s see if we can raise $2200.00 and make it $100 for every military suicide each day. Yes, that’s a grim reality, but I hope it drives home the tragedy of military suicides. Each day 22 of my brothers and sisters kill themselves.

Now, my bumping around with a giant bag on my back and raising money doesn’t stop it by itself. But it’s a start and it makes people aware of the problem in a way that gives them a chance to help out. That said, here’s the link to contribute:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/435512842044192/

Now, because you can never get too many videos of old men who have worked up a sweat… that didn’t come out right. I did a video while out rucking today and wanted to share it with you. Here it is: