Duncan walks miles for Veteran Suicide Awareness

WALLACE— Rain, shine, snow, sleet, or hail- Casey Duncan has been walking throughout the month of May with a 22-pound rucksack to raise money and attention for Veteran Suicide Awareness. Partnering with Stop Soldier Suicide and The United States Automobile Association, Duncan started with a goal of $200 on May 1 and has exceeded that goal by raising $2,457.

The 2021 National Veteran Suicide Prevention report showed that the suicide rate is down from the all-time high in 2017, however, there were still 6,261 veteran suicide deaths in 2019. This is down from years before, but overall they are still rising from the 5,989 in 2001 when the VA began collecting data.

Initially, the goal was to walk fifty miles, often taking the Trail of the Coeur d’ Alene’s from Wallace to Osburn and back, but Duncan will reach that goal before the end of the month.

“This is the first year I’ve done this. I’ve been involved with the VFW and other fundraisers, but this is the first time i’ve done the march for Veteran suicide,” Duncan said, “I did it on a whim, and I didn’t even expect to raise $200. However, I hit that goal in about a day or two and have just kept raising the goal.”

Duncan is a disabled veteran, previously serving four years in an Army rapid deployment unit and spent time in Panama and Iraq during Desert Storm.

“I’ve lost a couple friends that I served with to suicide. I personally know a few more that are struggling with it every day, who have had to call the veteran hotline. For a veteran to get to that point, takes a lot. I have a lot of passion for this cause, because of my personal connection.”

Duncan has been receiving an incredible amount of support within his community, with people also donating all over the country from people sharing Facebook posts.

Walking miles every day with a 22-pound rucksack is no easy task, but Duncan takes it in stride.

“I thought it was going to be really easy. As a veteran, I used to walk twelve miles a day with no problem. But now I’m fifty years old, with bad knees, and that 22-pound rucksack feels heavier than it used to.”

Doing three to four miles a day is rough on Duncan, and he has had to take the weekends off because of knee pain, but knee pain won’t stop a man as determined as Duncan.

Although he has almost reached his goal of fifty miles, he will continue to walk as long as people are donating.

“I’m determined to keep going forward. Because as long as you are going forward, you aren’t quitting. Even if I can put 1-2 miles a day I will keep marching through May. As long as people are donating to the cause, I am going to keep walking.”

Those looking to donate to Duncan’s cause can do so at https://www.facebook.com/donate/1170900123661335/5546342548723623/

If you are a veteran or service member in crisis, call 844.907.1338. For more information on Stop Soldier Suicide, visit https://stopsoldiersuicide.org/

Don’t wait until you are in crisis to reach out.