By Stephanie Irvine

The Adopt-a-Solider Teal Star Run kicked off at the Wilmington, Illinois VFW Post 5422 on September 20 — with 57 motorcycles riding to raise awareness of PTSD and suicide among veterans.

“The Teal Star Run is for awareness of PTSD and suicide loss,” Teal Star Run Committee member Andrea Rawdon, of Aurora, said.

“We’re trying to stop suicide and educate the public and family members about vets who suffer from PTSD,” Rawdon added, noting the organization’s goal is to establish a support system for those soldiers suffering from PTSD and provide them with resources so those veterans struggling don’t resort to suicide.

Rawdon has been involved in the organization since its inception, having been a close family friend of the founder, Sue Wackerlin of Peotone.

The Adopt-a-Solider nonprofit organization was established in Peotone by Wackerlin, hoping to bring together support, care, and resources for veteran families. In 2019, the organization “embraced the first Teal Star family,” and thereafter, the motorcycle run was born.

“There are really two parts of the mission: veterans getting ready to go into service, following them through their service, and the second half is when we can’t help them, and they lose the battle with their demons — we are there for the families,” one of the Teal Star Run organizers, Kevin Danekas, said.

The purpose is to be there for the members and their families as the soldiers go through basic training, deployment and afterward. During deployments, the organization sends care packages while they’re away from home, which is especially critical, Danekas says, for those soldiers who don’t have a support system at home.

Danekas was present with several other Adopt-a-Soldier organizers, getting motorcyclists registered and ready to head out on the road.

“Awareness is huge,” Danekas said of the mission.

After “kickstands up” in Wilmington riders also paused at Morris VFW Post 6049. The run usually includes a stop at the Middle East Conflict Memorial, but the forecast for rain diverted the ceremony to the final stop planned, Jamie’s Outpost in North Utica.

The fundraiser at Jamie’s included live music, a silent auction, food and raffles. The motorcycle run had a police escort for safety on the ride.

“We didn’t just find a road, we found THE road,” Danekas emphasized, explaining it is a beautiful, winding, peaceful drive.

“It gives us all the opportunity to enjoy the ride and really remember those we lost,” he added.

Danekas carries the photos of the Teal Star veterans in the pocket of his motorcycle vest on every ride he makes, close to his heart and never forgotten.

Organizers have the photos available for everyone participating in the ride to take with them and keep for the Teal Star Run and every ride they choose in the future.

“We’re here after, when they have a hard time coming back to civilian life. We help them with that transition,” Danekas explained of the Adopt-a-Soldier and Teal Star Mission.

He understands the difficulty of getting acclimated to the new normal, having been in the United States Marine Corps for 12 years. He has been part of the Adopt-a-Solider organization for the last four years after having heard about it through his motorcycle club, the Vietnam Veterans Legacy club.

The Teal Star Mission offers “strength and love by building community, honor to those lost as a casualty of PTSD, education to normalize those living with PTSD without judgment, creation of safe spaces to lead difficult conversations, and most importantly, healing,” the website states.

For Teal Star parents, the organization is a Godsend, helping them grapple with immense grief and loss while giving them a sense of community.

Paula Mangus, who lost her son Justin, an Army veteran, on May 24, 2020, knows all too well how much the support helps.

“The organization does an amazing job making you feel welcome. It’s like coming back to family, being able to spend time with other Teal Star moms like myself,” Mangus said.

Mangus drove out from Columbus, Ohio, with beau Eric Hames, trailering their motorcycle for the ride. She’s been coming since 2021.

“I’m just here as a mom, but it has been powerful for the vets to see the impact it makes on the family. They were able to save someone — seeing the tears and the effect it had, it’s more than just a ride,” Mangus added.

She spoke of the positive impact the organization has not just for those facing loss but also for the veterans who are struggling. It means a lot to them to see people care.

“Say their names — don’t forget them,” Danekas said. He certainly doesn’t. He carries those photos with him on every ride he takes, having clocked 10,000 miles on his bike with the photos this past year.

This year, the veterans who lost the battle against PTSD and whose photos were available included Matthew Austin, James Bartz, Ryan Boyer, Jacob Crewson, Paul Drogos, Michelle Huerta, Nickolas Maner, Justin Mangus, Nick Nagel, Raymond Noon, and Daniel Wulsch — names and photos on a list far too long.

Danekas says he hopes next year they can have hundreds of bikes out, and of course, fewer names added to the list of those lost.

Those interested in getting involved with next year’s Teal Star Run or the Adopt-a-Solider organization should visit https://adoptasoldier.org/ for more information or to contact organizers.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.

On every motorcycle ride, Kevin Danekas, a Marine Corps veteran, carries with him the photos of those veterans who have lost the battle of PTSD, honoring them and the Teal Star mission.
(Photos by Stephanie Irvine)

Bikers assemble at Wilmington VFW Post 5422 and prepare to begin the Teal Star Run, a motorcycle ride raising awareness of PTSD and suicide among veterans.