Beech Tree News Network

Highways within Butler County provided the route for nearly a fourth of a 139 mile walk by soldiers and others showing support for active military, veterans and their families on Saturday and into Sunday. The organization, Carry The Fallen, used the event to bring attention to the need for a national retreat for military families. The ruck-march was part of a national effort. It stated at Fort Knox on Friday and concluded at Fort Campbell on Sunday.

After the leg from Caneyville, Crossroads Market at Aberdeen provided a rest and food stop for participants. With an estimated 69 miles left, the group continued through Morgantown and on to the Quality area.

The web site, carrythefallen.org, describes their mission this way:
Teams ruck-march for 3, 6, 12 or 22 hours while carrying weight that symbolizes the burden that many veterans carry post-war or post-trauma. The ultimate purpose of Carry The Fallen is to reduce veteran suicide and assist Military Families by:
1. Establishing camaraderie to cope with Post Traumatic Stress (anger, depression, loneliness, substance abuse and suicidal tendencies). Uniting veterans, families and supporters to care for each other in times of need.
2. Training Team Leaders how to interact with suicidal veterans and the steps to assist them.
3. Developing a Peer Mentor and Ambassador community of veterans, military families and civilians who support struggling families and/or veterans.
4. Building a Military Family Retreat Location that will help reduce veteran suicide with outdoor activity programs, educational programs and job partners to hire veterans and families.
Information on how to donate to the family retreat can be found at www.carrythefallen.org.

Story and photos by Roger Southerland, Beech Tree News