Hearty souls braved the heat Saturday morning to walk in a Ruck March hosted by NextGen Veterans.
The 6-mile march at Riverside Park, which began and ended near Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary, challenged participants to donate and carry upwards of 30 pounds of nonperishable foodstuffs in ruck/backpacks.
The three-cause event raised funds for the Upward American Veterans program, which assists veterans struggling financially; raised money for the Iraq/Afghanistan ‘Words from War’ monument being sculpted to honor individuals who served in the global war on terror; and accumulated food for the Food Pantry of Indian River County, which provides food to disadvantaged, unemployed and underemployed residents of Indian River County.
Photos by: Denise Ritchie
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- Major Eric Flowers with event organizer Jimmy Jackson
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- The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
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- The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
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- The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
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- Lisa Wynne, Kathleen Knowles, Rey Navarro and Tracy Savoia
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- Lisa Wynne, Kathleen Knowles, Rey Navarro and Tracy Savoia
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- The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
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- Ruck March
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- Gunnery Sargeant Walsh (right) leads USMC recruits on the ruck march
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- New USMC recruits participate in the Ruck March
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- American Legion Post 39 riders lead the ruck march
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- American Legion Post 39 riders lead the ruck march
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- New USMC recruits assemble for the Ruck March
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- Jim Jackson and Charles Jackson demonstrate ruck march formation
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- The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
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- New USMC recruits
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- New USMC recruits
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- The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
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- Nicole Haagenson with Patrick Williamson and Gracie
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- Heath Harris, Spencer Cady, and John Harris
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- Pastor Richard Demsick, Chuck Gerrald, Jason Patzer, and Charles Jackson
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- Blaise Seagraves, Kelly Von Gal, and Aiden Von Gal
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- Ellen Sobszak, Marty Zickert, Debbie Mayfield, and Nicole Haagenson
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- New USMC recruits James Edwards, Nate Patzer, James Britt, and Joshua Grimison
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- John Michael Matthews and Jason Cranman
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- Standing: Perry Martin with Sassy, Lonnie Gerasi, Eli Osborn, and Dave Bain. Sitting: Shelly Ferger with St. Lucie
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- Gold Star Mothers Michelle Dale, Linda Schumann, and Diana D’Angelo
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- Major Eric Flowers with event organizer Jimmy Jackson and Veterans Council Director of Operations Bruce Cady
