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1,000-mile 'Walk of America' stops in Dayton to raise mental health awareness for veterans

Dayton Daily News - 8/28/2018

Aug. 28--DAYTON -- Wounded warriors walking 1,000 miles across American have arrived in Ohio.

The Walk of America team, sponsored by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, is traveling through Dayton to continue their journey across the country, according to a release.

The team includes six wounded veterans, three from the U.S. and three from the U.K.:

* Cpl. Frankie Perez, U.S. Army National Guard

* Master Sgt. Adele Loar, U.S. Air Force

* Sgt. Larry Hinkle, U.S. Marine Corps

* Kev Carr, Royal Logistic Corp

* Kemsley Whittlesea, Royal Signals

* Jonny Burns, Royal Anglian

* John Brady, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment

They will be stopping at Packy's Sports Bar & Grill located outside of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, 10823 Chidlaw Road, Tuesday morning around 9:30 a.m.

This walk is to raise awareness about mental health among veterans and raise funds to support wounded warriors in both the U.S. and the U.K., the release stated. It's a 12-week, 1,000-mile walking expedition across America that started in Los Angeles on June 2, and will end in New York City on Sep. 6.

During this stop, veterans can talk about:

* Why each walker is undertaking this epic expedition and what they hope to achieve,

* The importance of raising awareness around the mental health issues many veterans face, and about their own battles with issues such as PTSD and how those conditions have affected those around them,

* National Suicide Prevention Week, which is a timely issue due to suicide rates being higher amongst veterans,

* How U.S. and U.K. organizations can collaborate to best support veterans, and

* How Ohio locals can help to support and get involved with the walk as it travels through the state.

"To other veterans out there who are suffering, who haven't yet got help or who don't know where to go -- don't give up. Know that we're out here fighting for you. Use us, use the nonprofits, use your local VAs. Get around people who understand where you've been. That's the best healing that can take place. Don't give up," said Marine Sgt. Larry Hinkle.

Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com.

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(c)2018 the Dayton Daily News (Dayton, Ohio)

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