Hundreds of community residents participate in a suicide prevention awareness ruck march Sept. 20, 2024, on Camp Zama, Japan. (Photo Credit: Tim Flack)
CAMP ZAMA, Japan – Hundreds of Soldiers, family members and civilian employees joined an early morning ruck march here Sept. 20 to help raise awareness for suicide prevention.
The event, coordinated locally by the U.S. Army Garrison Japan Religious Support Office, was part of a worldwide grassroots effort organized by a Soldier in the United States.
Camp Zama’s event featured remarks from USAG Japan Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Damon Saxton, a 2.2-kilometer march, and breakfast on the chapel’s outdoor patio.
“I’m so excited to see so many people here today,” Saxton said as he opened the event and explained the day’s course.
He stressed that the 2.2-kilometer distance was symbolic to recognize the unfortunate fact that, on average, it’s estimated 22 veterans take their lives daily. The rucks – or backpacks the participants carried – were meant to symbolize the burdens that “we all carry.”
“That’s something to be thinking about as you’re out there rucking,” he said.
Command Sgt. Maj. David Rio, garrison senior enlisted advisor, said a non-commissioned officer stationed in Virginia had originally reached out asking if community members in Japan wanted to participate in what he hoped to make a worldwide event.
Rio said he thought it was a great idea and would complement the other planned community suicide prevention awareness month events.
“It was important because it reinforces the message and the meaning behind suicide prevention month and our tie-in to the global effort really shows just how far, through some simple efforts, you can expand a message across the world,” Rio said.
One participant, 78th Signal Battalion’s Cpl. Kevin Atkins, said he was glad the march was offered.
“I wanted to come out here today and show everybody that no matter what happens … we can always band together and push forward,” he said.
He added that the great participation by community residents was inspirational.
“I know there are people who’ve lost battle buddies, friends, and family, and I just wanted to show that we could … unite together,” he said.
