Brandon Miller
Public Information Officer
Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) welcomed student Veterans from the University of Alabama and Auburn University involved in Operation Iron Ruck on Tuesday to donate items needed for the annual ruck march.
Operation Iron Ruck, led by Slade Salmon of The University of Alabama and Auburn University’s Clayton Buchanan, is a four-day, 151-mile ruck march from Tuscaloosa to Auburn will take place November 24-27. Participants from the student Veteran organizations carry 17-pound rucksacks that contain donated items that the students will deliver to charities that assist Alabama’s Veteran population. The 17 pounds symbolizes the 17 Veterans who die by suicide per day nationally.
ADVA Commissioner Kent Davis presented Salmon and Buchanan with Operation Iron Ruck with a proclamation for Operation Iron Ruck Day on November 24.
Operation Iron Ruck, which raises awareness for Veteran suicide prevention, recently became a partner of Alabama’s Challenge for Preventing Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. The suicide prevention campaign is comprised of numerous state departments, including ADVA, the Governor’s Office, the Alabama Legislature, the Alabama National Guard, and numerous nonprofits.
“It speaks volumes that the Alabama and Auburn student veterans’ associations set aside their rivalry during the week of the Iron Bowl to work together in raising awareness about veteran suicide,” said Kent Davis, who serves as the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs and Co-Chair of Alabama’s Challenge. “This march establishes a connectedness and level of support that has a lasting impact within the veteran community. I’m proud of both universities and all participants for the work they are doing to help raise awareness for veteran suicide.”
For more information on Operation Iron Ruck, please contact the UA Campus Veterans Association at 205-348-0983, or the AU Student Veterans Association at 850-855-1060.
