On Wednesday, many gathered in front of the Lyceum to join The Mission 22 Walk for Military Suicide Awareness.
Cody Adams, a member of Ole Miss Student Veterans of America, said the purpose of the event was to raise awareness of veteran suicide. Twenty-two military boots, with American flags stuck in them, lined the steps of the Lyceum to represent how veteran suicide affects America.
“Every day 22 veterans commit suicide, and it is becoming an epidemic. The more eyes we have on this situation, the more help we can get,” Adams said.
The walk was also a way to raise the public’s awareness of PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. Adams said these diseases could be plaguing Ole Miss’ 266 veterans and the student body as a whole.
Pam Quisenberry joined the Mission 22 Walk to support her son-in-law who did two tours in Iraq. Quisenberry said the best way to help veterans is to listen to them.
“Learn as much as you can about what they’ve been through and ask them their story,” Quisenberry said.
Kyle Ellis, Director of the Center for Student Success, brought his family to the 1.2-mile long walk to show support for local veterans.
“Anytime you pilot something you’re a little worried but to have all these people out here, showing up for the good cause, it’s phenomenal,” Ellis said.
Though the walk was the first of its kind, The Ole Miss Student Veterans of America are hoping to continue it in the future.
Quinton Smith is an intern for hottytoddy.com and is a student of The Meek School of Journalism and New Media. Quinton can be reached at qosmith@go.olemiss.edu.
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