For 9 hours and 11 minutes, they walked in honor of lives lost on Sept. 11

By Shannon Myers
Correspondent

Sunday at Purser Family Park in Harker Heights, for nine hours and 11 minutes, people joined together to walk and remember the lives lost on 9/11 and bring attention to the lives still being lost to veteran suicide at the Ole Glory Remembrance Walk and 22 Pushup Hourly Suicide Awareness Challenge, hosted by nonprofit, 22 Until None.
The nonprofit is veteran founded and operated with chapters located all over the United States. 22 Until None is committed to the prevention of veteran suicide through awareness, advocacy, training, and providing a network of resources to veterans within the community.
“It’s just about the human spirit. I don’t care about the quantity, I care about the quality,” said Frank Cash, 22 Until None Fort Hood chapter captain.
September is also suicide awareness month. Every hour on the hour, people were encouraged to join the 22 push up challenge to bring attention to the epidemic of veteran suicide.
The United States Department of Veteran Affairs state 22 veterans commit suicide every day.
“Having the largest military instillation here, people are aware, but once they get out they just go about their business,” said Sarah Elix, remembrance walker. “This is going on and it’s still important to remember our fallen heroes and remember those who have struggled with their demons… The community banding together one by one is incredibly awesome to see,” said Elix.
Over 100 people chose to spend part of their Sunday morning and afternoon with 22 Until None and several other organizations such as Team RWB and VETSports, to come together and remember.
“Every year, I have to think about how many innocent lives that were wasted. This is a way I can show my respect,” said Anke Farrar member of Team Red, White, & Blue (Team RWB). “I like the idea of the walk. So many kids are around, to show the kids what is honor, what is respect…I think it’s very important,” said Farrar.
At 9:11 a.m. a moment of silence was held and at each event that transpired on 9/11. There was an hourly rely walking the one mile track with the American flag.
“You should not forget. We have young people growing up, and we want to make sure they know what it means and what happened,” said walker and flag bearer, Giovanni Cicci. “It’s been 15 years and these kids weren’t even born yet. They need to know what people have sacrificed and are still sacrificing for their freedom,” said Ciccia.
One of the younger participants was 13-year-old, Leanne Edmond, who walked with her friends and participated in the pushup challenge.
“I just came out here to support with my mom and my sister. Just to remember them and support the families that have lost someone,” said 13 year-old Leanne Edmond.
Cash explained to Edmond after a round of pushups why it’s important to have the American flag in front of you and the message behind it.
“It doesn’t feel comfortable. The flag carries a weight. It’s heavy in blood. Many good people, greater than you and I have died defending it and its message… I have to honor this. I have to honor the lives of the people who have died and that’s what it’s all about,” said Cash.
For more information on 22 Until None, visit, www.22UntilNone.org For upcoming events at the local chapter visit Ft. Hood Chapter-22 Until None on Facebook.