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Veteran walks 2,600 miles to raise awareness of veterans' mental health struggles
August 15, 2024
Click here for the video: https://youtu.be/MVu-CY4fzrk
Travis Snyder, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is walking from the Michigan-Indiana border to the Mackinac Bridge to raise awareness for the mental health of veterans.
Snyder said an average of 22 U.S. veterans commit suicide each day and he wants more people to know about it.
He began this annual trek in 2019, after the struggles of mental health hit close to home.
"We had just lost one of our own to suicide that we served in Afghanistan within our Marine unit. And so to commemorate him and also to amplify the message of veteran mental health and suicide awareness, I felt led to do a walk around Lake Michigan for six weeks," Synder said.
On Wednesday, Snyder stopped in Traverse City, where he was met by the American Legion Post and VFW, as well as community members at the Grand Traverse Area Veterans Memorial Park.
David Taylor, a key organizer of the event, said it's crucial that people learn more and show support. And a big reason for having the event was just for that.
"To let people know first and foremost about this cause, we hope others in the community will become more aware of it and really embrace it," Taylor said.
"And secondarily to really just give Travis an 'atta boy' and a pat on the back," Taylor said.
Many members of the community felt compelled to come after being moved by the walks.
"My dad was a veteran. My dad's death was suicide. And I just followed him for a long time now, and really stand behind what he's doing, and how many people he's reaching," said Morgan Kelsey, a Manistee County resident.
"I just think it was an incredible thing to do and I wanna be here and show my support," Kelsey said.
Snyder embraces the support and said he is inspired by the veterans showing up to back the cause.
"It means a lot to me personally," Snyder said. "But it also means a lot to the veteran community to see a lot of former military members coming together and still wanting to serve, and still wanting to make a difference, and still serve a purpose. And so it means a lot to see so many great people are coming out and just showing some love."
Snyder plans to continue these walks as long as there is a need for them.
He invites people to come and say "hi" and follow along, and will keep telling an important message.
"They can make a difference by doing the small things. I don't want people to underestimate their ability to make a difference in somebody's life. And I don't want people to underestimate or undervalue themselves when they're going through mental health issues or suicidal tendencies and whatnot," Snyder said.
by Kody Blair