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
The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
Lisa Wynne, Kathleen Knowles, Rey Navarro and Tracy Savoia
Lisa Wynne, Kathleen Knowles, Rey Navarro and Tracy Savoia
The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
Ruck March
Gunnery Sargeant Walsh (right) leads USMC recruits on the ruck march
New USMC recruits participate in the Ruck March
American Legion Post 39 riders lead the ruck march
American Legion Post 39 riders lead the ruck march
New USMC recruits assemble for the Ruck March
Jim Jackson and Charles Jackson demonstrate ruck march formation
The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
New USMC recruits
New USMC recruits
The Next Generation Veterans Ruck March
Nicole Haagenson with Patrick Williamson and Gracie
Heath Harris, Spencer Cady, and John Harris
Pastor Richard Demsick, Chuck Gerrald, Jason Patzer, and Charles Jackson
Blaise Seagraves, Kelly Von Gal, and Aiden Von Gal
Ellen Sobszak, Marty Zickert, Debbie Mayfield, and Nicole Haagenson
New USMC recruits James Edwards, Nate Patzer, James Britt, and Joshua Grimison
John Michael Matthews and Jason Cranman
Standing: Perry Martin with Sassy, Lonnie Gerasi, Eli Osborn, and Dave Bain. Sitting: Shelly Ferger with St. Lucie
Gold Star Mothers Michelle Dale, Linda Schumann, and Diana D’Angelo
Major Eric Flowers with event organizer Jimmy Jackson and Veterans Council Director of Operations Bruce Cady
