Ruck March 2023 ‘We Have to Continue the Battle’
James Bartz
By Karen Haave
Ruck March 2023 will honor the memories of two young soldiers and a Teal Star mom, all of whom lost their battles with PTSD earlier this year.
The annual 22-mile hike from Bradley to the Peotone Fairgrounds this year is dedicated to James Bartz of Monee who lost his life in February, as well as to Jacob Crewson, USMC, who passed away a year ago, and his mother, Jennifer, who died last month.
Founded by Sue Wackerlin and her Adopt A Soldier supporters, the Ruck March mission is to bring attention to the 22 military veterans whose lives are lost to PTSD and suicide every day.
“2023 has been difficult already, with two young local soldiers lost within two weeks of each other, followed two weeks later with the loss of one of our Teal Star moms,” Wackerlin said of the honor bestowed to families of soldiers who have taken their own lives.
“Jacob Crewson was who we were adding to our Ruck this year. Jacob lost his battle March 28, 2022. Jake’s mom reached out to me just a few months after his passing, and we became friends.
“Jennifer was suffering, and we talked almost every day. We traveled to Ohio in October to support her in her first public event for her son. Jenn then traveled to Illinois for a weekend to learn more about AAS. She was so excited to honor her son and was a strong warrior in the battle against PTSD. But on March 14, 2023, Jenn lost her battle to the invisible enemy.
“I’m not going to lie. I began to question everything I have been fighting for. Doubt and sadness took over and has made Ruck March more difficult to plan.”
At the same time, she said, she feels like her efforts have been futile to get national recognition on the same level as Gold Star families.
“Getting it to be adopted nationally has been a lost battle,” Wackerlin said. “Then I realized, the government and the VA do not want to be held accountable for the true number of casualties of PTSD. They are sweeping the numbers under the preverbal Gold Star Rug.
“God and I had a few difficult discussions, which of course He won. This past weekend, a fundraiser was held for Adopt A Soldier in Lombard, the third annual PTSD Awareness event, and God presented me with answers.
“The number of veterans that connected with us, sharing their stories, expressing how important what we are doing is to them! The tears, hugs, and connection from strangers becoming family were overwhelming.
“A Teal Star sister, Nancy, asked to speak to the crowd, sharing her story of support that was given by her now Adopt a Soldier family. I realized that the Teal Star has to be a grass roots mission — town to town, state to state — to force them to admit this tragic epidemic is out of control.
“This was God’s way of saying our work is not in vain and certainly not finished. With that being said, Ruck March 2023 will embrace Jacob Crewson and Jennifer. I had given Jennifer her Teal Star Flag when she visited me here in Illinois. God’s nudge to give it to her then makes sense now since He has taken her home, and she is at peace. We will also be honoring James Bartz of Monee who lost his life in February.
“PTSD is destroying so much more than people realize,” she added. “We have to continue the battle.”
For those who want to support Ruck March and Adopt A Soldier, there are several options this year.
The 22-mile hike on May 28 begins at 7:30 a.m. at Walmart in Bradley, ending around noon at the Will County Fairgrounds. (Sign-in is at 7 a.m.) Registration is underway at adoptasoldier.org. The $25 registration fee includes a T-shirt.
Also this year, there will be a Community One Stop Ruck, with open walking times from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Will County Fairgrounds. No registration is required.
The event includes a Community Welcome of Ruck March participants at noon at the fairgrounds.
You also can show your support by donating to donate to Operation Action 22, which is raising funds to support Adopt A Soldier’s work and its annual Ruck March.
“With your help, we can create a community that provides the support and resources for our active military, veterans, and their families to heal, grow, and thrive,” Wackerlin said.
“To make a real impact, we are asking for a donation of $22. This amount represents the 22 soldiers we lose daily, the 22K our Ruckers are committing to on May 28, and it symbolizes our commitment to ending this epidemic.”
All monies raised will fund critical Adopt A Soldier missions, such as financial/emergency assistance, transportation, resource referral, employment support and much more.
Donations can be made at Operation Action 22.
Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.
Ruck March 2023 will honor Jacob Crewson, USMC, who passed away a year ago, and his mother, Jennifer, who died of suicide last month. James Bartz of Monee, lower left, who lost his life in February, also will be honored. (Photos courtesy of Sue Wackerlin)