Twenty-Two Miles to Save Twenty-Two Lives
By: Madison Sikes
It is a phone call no one wants or expects to receive. The caller I.D. reveals an unknown number and the unfamiliar voice on the other end is sympathetic and wavering. The stranger on the other end reveals the mysterious number belongs to the hospital. The voice belongs to a female nurse. The nurse tries her hardest to break such devastating news lightly, but reveals a loved one will not be returning home. This loved one is not coming home because the demons possessing him from several tours overseas was too much for him to bear any longer. It is a phone call no one wants or expects to receive. It is a phone call that is received by 22 families and loved ones daily.
Caitlyn Linden, age 23, unfortunately received that phone call in February of 2016 when she lost her boyfriend, Joe Donohue. Linden’s response, however, was much different from what one would envision when receiving a call of that magnitude. After a couple weeks of much needed grieving, Linden decided that the number 22 needed to be defeated. She decided that no one else needed to lose his or her loved ones or have to feel what she felt. Linden decided to make a difference by raising awareness for military suicide. She decided to ruck.
Rucking is an activity typically done by soldiers in training sessions. This activity entails carrying a very heavy rucksack, or backpack, on a hike that lasts for several miles. Rucking trains soldiers for what it will be like when they are deployed and having to carry their heavy equipment while maneuvering around their work sites. Active Heroes, an organization whose main purpose is to eliminate suicide and provide resources to veterans and soldiers, started putting on public rucks to spread suicide awareness. During these rucks participants pay a fee, which acts as a donation to their organization, and then participate in a 22 mile hike while carrying a minimum of 22 pounds in a rucksack. This event is meant to show soldiers and veterans how many people are willing to support and listen to them. This event is meant to end the evil lurking behind the number 22.
It takes incredible strength and determination to set out to defeat such a terrible statistic, but these qualities are something that Linden does not lack. Linden has a large goal of completing 22 rucking events in 22 states before the year is over. As challenging as Linden’s goal is she is hell bent to tackle it and spread awareness for suicide. “I’ve been to Chicago, Michigan, Louisville, Lexington, Nashville, and rucked from Ft. Campbell to Ft. Knox,” Linden said, “Suicide can take hold of a veteran anywhere.” In June, Linden and her father did a rucking event in Ohio leaving her with only 17 states and events to attend to achieve her goal. During the seemingly endless 22 mile hike Linden says she is overcome by a sensation of clarity and feels as though she is as close to her loved one again as she can be for now.
“Together we can make a difference,” Linden said, “I ruck alone unless someone wants to join- I love meeting other people and making connections.” By traveling all over the United States to spread awareness Linden has met several others who have had to experience the unfortunate tragedy of military suicide and has heard other ruckers’ stories of memories and heartache. These memories and feelings of hurt, loss and regret are what push ruckers to finish the grueling 22 mile hikes and inspire others to continue going. Linden described the most influential rucking experience, which was when she rucked from Ft. Campbell, Tennessee to Ft. Knox, Kentucky:
“I rucked from Ft. Campbell to Ft. Knox. That ruck changed my life. I met some amazing people and their stories kept me going. Then their continued support afterwards meant the world to me. One man, Joe Herrington, refused to stop rucking and kept going until he could ruck no more. He was hospitalized after rucking for almost a day and a half straight. He came back and crossed the finish line as we pushed him in his wheelchair. He lost so many friends to suicide and his passion was so intense. I loved it. We all knew that the cause was bigger than the pain and that’s why we kept moving.”
Rucking not only allows Linden and others to share their stories and memories of their lost loved ones, it allows a support system to be built. Those participating in these rucking events that have experience loss due to suicide are soldiers on their own mission to end suicide. By being able to speak about their hurt and loss and share their stories they are able to build connections with people who can relate and help them through such a terrible loss. “Awareness is always key when I participate in rucks,” says Linden, “But also, rucks are my therapy. Walking that long helps clear my mind and in a way brings me closer to Joe.”
When Linden is unable to ruck, she tries to raise awareness by conducting fundraisers and events that help raise money for Active Heroes as well as suicide awareness. As a long time employee of Texas Roadhouse in Clarksville, Tennessee, Linden has taken charge of the restaurant’s charity nights, which allows 10 percent of all purchases to go toward the charity and allows the restaurant to take donations. In June, Linden was able to hold an event at Texas Roadhouse to benefit Active Heroes and inform diners about the organization as well as the terrible statistic that 22 soldiers take their lives daily.
Donations from events such as the ones Linden holds at Texas Roadhouse and the fee paid to ruck in an Active Hero “Carry the Fallen” ruck goes to help veterans and their families who are dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder or loss. Money raised for Active Heroes goes towards aiding local community centers that offer activities as well as counseling to veterans and their families as well as helping to pay for Active Hero retreats that allow veterans a get-a-way with other veterans and Active Hero counselors.
Linden encourages anyone and everyone to participate in rucking events and events sponsored byActive Heroes. “You don’t have to be tied to the military to go to these events,” says Linden, “Most people at the events are though because they are the ones aware of the problem.” Linden is very open about rucking with anyone and has done an outstanding job in spreading awareness to people unaffiliated with the military by facilitating her fundraising events and posting on social media. Her story is heartbreaking and personal, but she shares it with others to hopefully prevent another suicide and to one day eliminate the statistic associated with the number 22.
Linden, now promoted to a manager position at Texas Roadhouse, continues to ruck in honor of her loved one, Joe. She also continues to support Active Heroes and educate civilians about suicide awareness. Linden possesses tremendous strength, courage and beauty to endure such a horrendous loss at such a young age and to find a way to turn that loss into a way to help others. “I hope it opens their eyes that veteran suicide is a rising epidemic and something needs to change to save the men and women that risk their lives for freedom,” Linden said.
