UPDATE: LOCAL MARINES RUN TO RAISE MONEY FOR VETERAN SUICIDE AWARENESS
Jacksonville, NC- May 21, 2021 10:00 ET
Local Marine, James Huller (SgtMaj, USMC Ret) and friend, Joshua Fosberg (SSgt, USMC) are on a mission to raise awareness for Veteran Suicide with Mission 22.
Josh and James are ultrarunners with a passion for helping others. While Josh ran his first ultra race in November of 2018, James has been at it since May 2009. They met while coaching softball in 2018 and soon after, Josh started logging the miles. Sleep deprived, in the late hours or a 24 hour run, they decided to do something more. They decided to run, raising funds and awareness to end veteran suicide.
While the COVID-19 crisis changed their original plans of running from Parris Island, SC, to Onslow Beach, Camp Lejeune, NC, in 2020, they didn’t give up this goal for 2021. More dedicated than ever to the mission, they are running an unsupported 322 mile run. They began on May 15th, and are running approximately 40 miles each day, completing their final run on May 21st. They chose their start date because that is the date Josh’s friend, Aaron Stafos took his life, losing the battle. They will be running to honor him and all others who have lost the battle as well as to help those who are still battling.
They will be completing their run at Onslow Beach aboard Camp Lejeune with an early arrival finish between 2:30pm and 3:30pm on Friday May 21st.
Facts about Veteran Suicide:
- While suicide rates in America rose by 23% from 2001-2014, veteran suicide rose 32% in that same time.
- Veterans are 21% more likely to commit suicide than their civilian counterparts.
- We lose more veterans per year (8,030) to suicide than were lost in combat actions during the entire Iraqi and Afghanistan wars combined (6,916).
- Female veterans are 2.4 times more likely to commit suicide.
Mission 22 is dedicated to ending veteran suicide through various resources, all at no charge to the veteran, including:
- Comprehensive Wellness
- War Detox Program
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Health and Housing Access
- Service Dogs
- Holistic Health
- Horse Therapy
More information on Mission 22 programs can be found at https://mission22.com/progams/veterans.
To donate via James’ and Josh’s fundraising page go to:
https://mission22.networkforgood.com/projects/126002-clear-the-fog-2021/
Follow James and Josh on their journey on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/270622360742936
