‘Ruck Rally’ for suicide awareness among veterans

About 22 veterans commit suicide each day in the US, but the folks over at Rockport Warriors United are trying to put an end to that.

The 22-mile Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Rally is this Saturday at 9 a.m. at Memorial Park in Rockport.

Remember the number 22. Every day, 22 veterans commit suicide.

Local veterans and active military and others will have the opportunity to bring awareness to service member suicide while participating in the annual Rockport Warriors United Ruck Rally walk.

The Ruck is set up like race, walk or run, but participants are encouraged to put weight on their backs with a “rucksack” or weighted backpack, to simulate the required physical training ruck marches for all branches of military service and the weight carried by first responders. The activity gets its name from “rucksacks,” which is military lingo for “backpack.” “Rucking” is marching or walking while wearing your rucksack (which is always loaded down with gear).

The community of Rockport-Fulton and surrounding communities are invited to walk with them, be a sponsor of the event, be a vendor at the event, be a volunteer, or just donate.

This is a 22-mile ruck but they are splitting up the distance by having teams walk with up to 10 people per team or do it individually.

Each team up to 10 members is $25.

Sponsorship levels are $200, $300, and $500.

Vendor booths $50 (no electricity).

For more information, you can visit Rockport Warriors United on Facebook and their website.

You can also contact them at (361) 737-2682, or email rockportwarriorsunited@gmail.com for their informational packet.
This is an annual event held at Memorial Park, 1601 FM 2165 (Pearl St.) Rockport, TX 78382.

You can register the day of the rally.