Ruck With a Purpose

03/22/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ March 15th - March 21st 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I Ruck March as many miles as we can (due to my upcoming knee replacement surgery) a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health. This weeks "Ruck March"of 0,81 miles is dedicated to U.S> Air Force combat veteran MSG Justin S. Keirn who lost his battle with mental health on Oct 16th 2024.
Justin was a devoted Catholic, a loving husband, father, son, grandson, and brother. He embodied the Pararescue motto, “That Others May Live.” His distinguished career included roles as a military static-line jumpmaster, free fall jumpmaster, combat SCUBA diver, and a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Justin served with valor at the 38th Rescue Squadron, the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, the 26th Special Tactics Squadron, and Special Operations Command Central, during which he executed over 120 combat and civil rescue missions.
His commitment to service, pararescue and dedication to others will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him. He was a poet, courageous, smart, and loved deeply. You left too soon, but your spirit is with us still — in the wind that whispers your name, in the sunlight that warms out face, in the quiet moments when we feel you near.
The sacrifices made by our veterans can never be forgotten.
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
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03/19/2026

03/15/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ March 8th - March 14th 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I Ruck March as many miles as we can (due to my upcoming knee replacement surgery) a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health. This weeks "Ruck March"of 3.81 miles is dedicated to U.S. Army Veteran Anthony “A.J.” James Lee Wieda who lost his battle with mental health on Saturday, March 13, 2021. A.J. went to Buchanan High School in Troy MO where he played varsity baseball and football. he loved the outdoors, music and spending time with friends and family,
He joined Army in Aug. 29 2017 and served until Dec. 18, 2020. His family said he always had a big smile on his face and was friendly to everyone. A.J. will be greatly missed and long remembered by all those who knew and loved him. He cherished each and everyone of his family members.
Gone but not forgotton.
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
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Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.

03/13/2026

Happy Veterans Day to our 4 legged warriors 🇺🇸🫡

03/08/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ March 1st - March 7th 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I Ruck March as many miles as we can a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health.
Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.
This weeks "Ruck March"of 4.35 miles is dedicated to U.S. Navy Veteran Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcus Woods who lost his battle with mental health on Feb 27th 2017.
Following high school graduation, Marcus immediately joined the U.S. Navy. He has served on the USS Missouri SSN-780, a submarine currently based in Groton, Conn., since February of 2015, and was currently an Electronics Technician – Communications (ETR). He was a baptized member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty.
The sacrifices made by our veterans can never be forgotten.
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
#

03/01/2026

“RUCK WITH A PURPOSE”
February 22nd - February 28th 2026
Unfortunately I wasn’t able to get any miles in this week because I haven’t quite kicked this RSV yet so I am sharing a ruck march dedication from last year. I was put on “light duty” by the doc and will be back “limited” rucking this week. Thank you everyone for all of your support.

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ May 25th - May 31st 2025
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I Ruck March a minimum of 22 miles a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health.
Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.
This weeks "Ruck March"of 27.03 miles is dedicated to U.S. Army Combat Veteran (Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan) SGT Sophie Champoux.
SGT. Champoux, 25, Fort Stewart, GA died September 30, 2011. She was born July 5, 1986 in Orlando, the daughter of Denis Jean Joseph Champoux and Suzette Perkins Champoux. She was a former Clermont resident and member of Clermont Bible Church. In 2006, she relocated to New Jersey. At the time of her death, she was a Sergeant in the US Army stationed at Fort Stewart.
Sophie went to boot camp and excelled. At her graduation everything seemed fine. She went to technical school at Fort Sam Houston and became an Army Medic. She seemed excited and began to think about becoming a doctor or a Physician Assistant. She served as a Combat Medic in Operation Enduring Freedom, stationed at FOB Sharana in Afghanistan. Sophie always had a love for the Afghani children.
The sacrifices made by our veterans can never be forgotten.
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
#

02/22/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ Feb 15th - Feb 21st 2026
Unfortunately I was in the hospital with RSV amd was unable to get any miles in this week so I am sharing a ruck march dedication from last year. Thank you everyone for all of your support.

02/15/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ Feb 8th - Feb 14th 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I "Ruck March" a minimum of 22 miles a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health.
Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.
This weeks "Ruck March"of 22.21 miles is dedicated to U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran First SGT Daniel Brown.
Daniel was married to Denise Brown and has a son and daughter, Daniel Brown and Christina Hartman. His sister is Margie Ouellette and parents, Daniel and Nancy Brown. He loved being a Marine. He had his own construction company. He enjoyed body building and spending time with his family.
In 2019, his daughter, Christina, ran the Marine Corps Marathon in his memory. His picture was on display at the Blue Mile and a flag was held in his honor. Words from his daughter: “2019 Marine Corps Marathon in honor of my father, 1st Sgt Daniel Brown. Thank you to all the Blue Mile volunteers, and to the kind stranger who was holding an American flag with my dad’s name. "Once a Marine, always a Marine." "Gone but never forgotten.”
“We may not understand why, but we must be strong enough to prevail.”
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
#

02/08/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ Feb 1st - Feb 7th 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I "Ruck March" a minimum of 22 miles a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health.
Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.
This weeks "Ruck March"of 22.60 miles is dedicated to U.S. Air Force Veteran Senior Airman Aiden Gaither, who lost his battle with mental health on July 3rd 2024.
Aiden Gaither, age 25, sadly left this world on July 3, 2024. He was born in Chula Vista, CA. He spent most of his life in Colorado and graduated from Longmont High School. Aiden excelled at everything he did. He joined the Air Force immediately following High School Graduation. He was stationed in Little Rock and Korea during his 6 years of service and was honorably discharged as a Senior Airman, June 6, 2023. He was working on earning his degree in computer science at UNK in Kearney, Nebraska.
He was a Cyber Defense Operations Journeyman and deployed to Korea and Kuwait. While overseas, he helped monitor, secure, and defend military networks against cyber threats to ensure mission readiness and information integrity. Gaither was an animal lover who enjoyed tabletop RPGs, gaming, and a good anime. He is remembered for his warm nature, infectious smile, and ability to bring levity to any situation.” He was only 25 years old.
“We may not understand why, but we must be strong enough to prevail.”
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
#

02/01/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ Jan 19th - Jan 31st 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I "Ruck March" a minimum of 22 miles a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health.
Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get to 22 miles this week due to the extreme weather and still recovering from c spine surgery. Also the cold hurts!
This weeks "Ruck March"of 1.62 miles is dedicated to U.S. Navy Veteran Jason Dunlap.
Jason served 6 years in the Navy as a hospital corpsman at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth. He was a loving husband and father.
Jason was a Navy Corpsman who took care of hundreds of PTSD victims at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. He was an honest, caring, sweet man with a very sensitive soul, who kept his feelings very private. He had a great sense of humor and a goofy smile. He also struggled with depression.
Leaving the Navy was a difficult adjustment. Things were just starting to go his way, as he was studying Criminal Justice and working as an armed anti-terrorism security guard. He and Emily were making plans to have dinner with his dad, and for a summer vacation. We will never understand what made Jason put his service revolver to his head that night. He didn’t leave a note.
Jason was a great dad who was very involved in every facet of Paisley’s care. He loved to read to her.
“We may not understand why, but we must be strong enough to prevail.”
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
#

01/25/2026

"RUCK WITH A PURPOSE “ Jan 18th - Jan 24th 2026
Because more than 22 Veterans & First Responders a day lose their battle with mental health my Service dog “Chipper“and I "Ruck March" a minimum of 22 miles a week and dedicate that weeks Ruck March to a Veteran/First Responder that has lost their battle with mental health.
Our “Purpose” is to put a name and a face to this ever increasing number so they are not forgotten.
Unfortunately I wasn't able to get to 22 miles this week due to the extreme weather and still recovering from c spine surgery. Also the cold hurts!
This weeks "Ruck March"of 14.23 miles is dedicated to Ohio State Trooper SGT Matthew Cook Jr. who his battle with mental health on December 31st 2025,
Matt attended Carmel Schools and Perrysburg Schools and spent several years being homeschooled. He was active in student life at Westgate Chapel. He earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Owens Community College. Then entered the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. He also worked with high school youth at church, mentoring young men in their faith and leading the Student Ministry Worship Team. During his time with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Matt received numerous commendations. awards and was named Ohio State Troper of the year in 2016 and 2020,
He left behind his wife and son.
“We may not understand why, but we must be strong enough to prevail.”
If anyone has a Veteran or First Responder family member / loved one or friend that lost their battle to mental health and would like a ruck march dedicated in their memory please message me.
Veteran crisis line - txt 838255 or call 1 800 273 8255 press 1
Su***de hot line call 988 !
Thank you everyone for your support.
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