Another Veterans Day has come and gone, and though many people around the United States used the time to honor those who served in one of the five branches of the U.S. military, the day was not so joyful for some.
Another Veterans Day has come and gone, and though many people around the United States used the time to honor those who served in one of the five branches of the U.S. military, the day was not so joyful for some.
The United States military is currently fighting a battle, and this battle is, surprisingly, not taking place on foreign soil, but instead right here on the home turf.
Suicide has become a crisis of epidemic proportions among U.S. military personnel. According to James Hokoana, who held the 22 with 22 for 22 Run on Friday to raise awareness for the cause, 22 veterans die by suicide per day nationwide.
Hokoana, an 18 year veteran, who is currently stationed with the Army National Guard in Hilo, has personally been impacted by the epidemic.
“Coming back from Afghanistan in 2010, a fellow soldier committed suicide three months after we got back,” Hokoana said. “It really effected me and it still does.”
Looking to bring awareness to the cause, Hokoana set out to come up with an event that would be both challenging, and alert people to the crisis.
“There has been 22 push-up challenges before and 22 kilometer walks, so I took that idea and raised the difficulty level,” Hokoana said.
What he came up with was a 22 kilometer (13.7 mile) run carrying 22 kilogram (48.5 pound) rucksack. The run started at Old Airport Park early in the morning on Friday. The four people taking part in the event walked/ran to Keauhou Shopping Center and then back to Old Airport, wrapping up about four hours later.
Joining Hokoana on the trek were Ryan Taniguchi, David Phillips and Stance Oyama.
Taniguchi is a 21 year veteran who served multiple tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq. He is also stationed in Hilo.
“James has been a tremendous advocator and supporter of a lot of community programs, especially when they involve soldiers,” Taniguchi said. “I have personally lost soldiers, family members, to suicide. There is nothing else I would rather be doing on Veteran’s Day.”
Phillips, at only 19 years old, is one of the youngest soldiers stationed in Hilo. He was able to finish the trek with the heavy rucksack despite only “weighing 170 pounds soaking wet,” Hokoana joked.
Joining the three soldiers was Oyama, who competed in the event, sans rucksack. Oyana is not a soldier, but he works with Hokoana at the Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park.
“He wanted to come out and support us,” Hokoana said. “Stance might not be a veteran, but he is a veteran at heart.”
While awareness was key for the run, the main purpose of the event was to help get out the word out that help is available to those who might be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and thinking about suicide.
“Three soldiers died in the time it took us to compete this run,” Hokoana said. “Soldiers need to know that there are resources available for those who are struggling.”
A crisis hot-line is available for anyone dealing with PTSD and contemplating suicide. The number is 1-800-273-8255. There is also help via text at 741-741. Just type the word “start” and a crisis management staffer will be connected immediately. Both methods are available for free, are confidential and available 24/7.