Walk for Veterans event raises $30,913 for OCW

As the latest American Legion Walk for Veterans hit the Hoosier state on Oct. 11, it was a bit of a homecoming for National Commander Dale Barnett. “I took my first military physical right here at Fort Benjamin Harrison in 1970,” he told the crowd of about 300 veterans, families and supporters that were gathered for the event that was organized by the Department of Indiana.

The department hosted the free “5K Walk/Run for Veterans” at the historic site of the former U.S. Army base and raised more than $30,000 in donations for Operation Comfort Warriors, an American Legion program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured or ill military personnel by providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government.

“The purpose of this walk is to raise public awareness about the crucial issues facing America’s veterans and their families,” said Indiana Department Commander Larry Lowry. “An estimated 22 veterans a day commit suicide. Traumatic brain injuries have become a signature wound of the Global War on Terrorism and up to 20 percent of the men and women who served in Iraq or Afghanistan are believed to experience Post Traumatic Stress.Natio Veterans still have difficulty receiving health care in a timely manner and many have been waiting years to have their disability claims resolved. We owe it to those who served our country to never forget their sacrifice and devotion. We are running for those who marched for us.”

It is the fourth walk that Barnett has led during his first five weeks as national commander.

"We’re going to get the message of The American Legion out to the communities," Barnett said. "I strongly believe that we should walk not for ourselves but for those who have marched before us. In war or peace, America’s veterans have repeatedly sacrificed for our freedom. These awareness walks are the least that we can do for them.”

Past National Commander Jim Koutz of Boonville, Ind., presented $30,913 in donations for OCW on behalf of American Legion posts across Indiana.

“We want to take care of our injured, our wounded and our sick warriors recovering in military care installations across the nation and around the world,” Koutz said. “That’s what The American Legion is all about, and that’s what our program Operation Comfort Warriors was created for.”

During the opening ceremony, American Legion Auxiliary National President Sharon Conatser acknowledged the many children who participated in the event. “I want to thank the families for bringing the children out today,” she said. "To me this is a great learning experience for our children, your grandchildren, your family members and friends so they can learn what we do to support veterans.”

With the success from local turn out and donations raised for OCW, The American Legion Department of Indiana plans to make the 5k Walk/Run for our Veterans an annual event.

Lawrence Mayor Dean Jessup noted his community’s strong composition of veterans.

“I’m told the city of Lawrence has the fifth largest concentration of veterans of any city in America,” he said. “I’m very proud of that. A lot of soldiers left that served this country from this very place. To every man or woman who has worn or wears the uniform of our country, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are the reason we are able to do these programs today as a free people.”