The cost of war extends far beyond the battlefield

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Dean
MacDill Air Force base, Fla. --  While most people were planning BBQs and festivities this past Memorial Day, Maj. Robert Simmons, 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Medical Service Corps officer, marched 40 miles alongside 80 veterans and patriots, from Pomona, California to the Riverside National Cemetery to bring awareness to the veteran suicide rate.

“22 a day! According to a Veterans Administration report, 22 veterans commit suicide each day,” said Simmons. “One is too many!”

The participants that gathered at sunset for the fourth annual ruck march, organized by the Veteran Suicide Awareness Project, Riverside, California, were asked to carry at least 22 pounds in their rucksacks, one pound per daily suicide.

“This hits home for me. Tech. Sgt. Evita De la Cruz, one of my troops from a former unit, is a widow of an U.S. Army soldier that committed suicide.” said Simmons. “Once I found out she was one of the organizers for this march, I wanted to be part of it, I wanted to show her my support. That was three years ago.”

Along with the weighted rucksack, participants also carry a small flag with a photo and the name of a service member who committed suicide.

“For the last two years I have carried Army Sgt. Shawn "Ranger Smurf" Reilly, who deployed to Afghanistan and committed suicide in 2011,” said Simmons. “This year I decided to also carry a photo of USAF Staff Sgt. Zachary Barton, who deployed to Qatar, was stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and committed suicide in 2013.”

As the ruck-march progressed and darkness set in, the group spread out. Simmons, an avid marathon runner, pulled ahead of the group and soon found himself alone with his thoughts.

“Throughout the night, I thought about what could have possibly been going through their minds to make them want to commit suicide and leave behind family and friends that way,” said Simmons. “As a corporal with the Riverside Sheriff Department in California for 19 years, I have seen many suicides and cannot help but think about the tragic circumstances that would cause someone to do that.”

Simmons completed the 40-mile march in just under 13 hours, and plans to continue to participate for as long as his legs will allow.

“To me the all-night ruck march symbolizes the darkest hours of an individual considering suicide who has made it through the night with either prayer, encouragement from others, or even the help from a complete stranger. As the sun comes up, they have persevered to find the strength to carry on, even if for just one more day, said Simmons. “That is why I do this every year.”