No one left behind ...
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Ruck marchers return after their six mile hike in support of the Carry The Fallen event on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. Susanna Dittman did not let a wheelchair stop her from taking part in the ruck march. Back row from left: Sarah Dittman, Evelynn Chaney, Tom Chaney. Front row: Susanna Dittman and Timothy Dittman.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. The large turnout of supporters for the ruck march, setting off on their hike.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Retired Army Col. Dan Kern was one of the guest speakers at the Carry The Fallen event.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. The marchers reach the Boundary County Fairgrounds.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. Tom Chaney spoke at the halfway point of the ruck march.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. There were activities for children at the event.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Terry Brannon and retired Army Col. Dan Kern finishing the march to the cheers of the crowd.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. Christie Campbell sang the National Anthem.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. The marchers on a brief stretch of HWY 95.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Terry Brannon receives a hand shake from Ron McIlnay while being walked in by an enthusiastic retired Army Col. Dan Kern.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN Justine Williams celebrates the return of the ruck marchers.
Photo by MANDI BATEMAN There was a large turnout for the Carry the Fallen event.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. Bounce houses for the children to enjoy.
Photo by HECTOR MENDEZ JR. There was a large variety of items for the silent auction.
BONNERS FERRY — “We are going to end veteran suicide and we are going to do it together,” said retired Army Col. Dan Kern to the people gathered around, listening to him speak at the Carry The Fallen event that took place on Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Log Inn.
For many veterans, the war doesn’t end when they come home. According to a study done in 2014, 20 veterans a day choose to take their own life when they lose their own personal battle, which can be due to depression, survivor’s guilt, self-blame for mission failure, alcohol or substance abuse, post-traumatic stress, or traumatic brain injury.
Despite the weight of the subject, the air of the event was positive and upbeat. People came together to support veterans, in spirit and also financially, by entering the 50/50 raffle, or bidding on the wide array of auction items available.
The Carry The Fallen event was centered around a six mile ruck-march, symbolizing the weight that the veterans have to carry after returning home.
“The goal of what we are trying to do is to make sure that we don’t leave anybody behind. Everybody starts together… everybody finishes together,” said Carry The Fallen organizer, John Riddle. “That is the whole goal of it.”
To ensure that the marchers were safe, and that they would all finish together, they were escorted by Boundary County Search and Dive Rescue, Boundary Ambulance, and the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. There was a chase vehicle to pick up any person who felt that they could not continue on the march for any reason.
People from all walks of life and a wide variety of ages all joined in. For one young lady — she was not going to miss this march for anything. Fifteen-year-old Susanna Dittman tore her meniscus and had surgery on the Thursday before the event.
A wheelchair was not going to stop her.
“Last year I didn’t get a chance to and I was really bummed,” said Dittman. “I didn’t realize my surgery was so soon — and I was wanting to go on this walk since the beginning of summer. I decided I would go in the wheelchair if mom would let me.”
In the spirit of support, 14-year old Evelynn Chaney stepped up to push her on the long trek from the Log Inn to the Boundary County Fairgrounds, and then back up again.
“I wanted to just come here and support everything,” said Chaney. “I have been wanting to get to do it since I didn’t get to last year.”
The marchers all had their own reasons for coming.
“To represent and help support our guys — our brothers and sisters — which is what they have done. Freedom isn’t free,” said Terry Brannon about why she participated. “My husband was a large part of that and I lost him a couple years ago. I am still here. I am still here to represent him.”
At the halfway point, in the shade of the large trees at the fairgrounds, Tom Chaney, a veteran and a firefighter, spoke to the marchers. He asked them to put on their packs. Once on, he asked them to remove them.
“Feel that weight that just left your shoulders? Did it feel good?” he asked. “Every day, too many veterans carry a heavy burden on their shoulders and cannot get rid of the weight that they bear.”
Coming back, everyone crossed the line together.
“It went exactly how it was supposed to. We all started together, we all finished together — that was the goal — everybody sticking together, helping each other out, motivating each other along the way,” said Riddle. “Whatever it takes.”
The entire event had something for everyone, not just the marchers. Lunch was catered by Two Tones Cafe, there was activities for children, booths, speakers, and more. The sunny fall day provided a pleasant backdrop to the activities, and at the end of the day, more than $7,000 was raised to help local veterans in need.
“We had a nice group marching and it looks like we have got a nice turnout here again this year,” said Riddle. “It just keeps amazing me how the community comes together and supports these different events.”