Veterans’ issues remain focus of march across nation

John Ring came back to Demopolis, and this time he wasn’t alone.

But his message remained the same. Issues facing America’s military veterans are not being met, and the suicide rate among those veterans is climbing.

Ring and his fellow hikers walked into town Wednesday after completing an 18-mile walk from Bellamy. They were accompanied by a line of Demopolis Fire and Rescue vehicles. As motorists passed by and saw the flags being carried, they honked and waved in support.

When Ring made his solitary walk through the city last November, he had trekked about one-third of his trip across the country to raise awareness of veterans’ issues and solicit support for Buddy Watch, Inc., a non-profit group that builds tiny houses for homeless veterans.

This time he and his companions are walking for Fight the War Within. The Georgia-based group works to address veterans’ mental health issues such as PTSD, traumatic brain injury, military sex trauma, addiction and homelessness, all of which can lead to suicide.

The organization was started by Miranda Briggs. Her husband Garrett, an active duty Ranger, took his life in January 2018, just two weeks after their daughter was born. Briggs sees all the mental health issues facing veterans as a family problem. Fight the War Within provides counseling and other support for everyone involved.

Ring started his first walk Oct. 1, 2019 at the pier at Tybee Island, Ga. His goal was the Santa Monica Pier in California, a trip that was supposed to take 80 days. With COVID-19 interrupting things, however, he didn’t complete the walk until June 14.

With so many people following his on-line presence and the continuing lack of support of veterans who face mental problems, Ring decided to walk the same route again, only not so far and in the opposite direction.

On his trip west Ring was joined in Jackson, Miss., on Nov. 18 by Jimmy Mathews who kept Ring company for the rest of the walk. Mathews wanted to complete the entire stretch across country.

“We decided to pick up where he met me,” said Ring. The second walk began on the anniversary of the first and will continue to Georgia, with plans to arrive on Dec. 3.

Hiking with them is Army veteran Jason Hanner. He was with them for a week in east Texas on the first walk and then joined them in west Texas for the remainder.

 Paco Baltazar, who served in the Navy, took part in the first walk from Phoenix, Ariz., to Santa Monica. David McElroy has been joining the group periodically. He is a member of Flags of Honor Escorts out of Jackson.

And this time Ring also has a bus and camper as support vehicles, owned and driven by Willie Myers. Myers is not a veteran but wanted to support Ring and his cause when he saw the group in Van Horn, Texas, during the trip west.

Ring’s efforts are finding backing across the nation. Nationally he is supported by the American Legion. He has had assistance from many law enforcement agencies, first responders and multiple military organizations.

“It does give people hope,” he said. “It’s a very humbling experience It made me see the good out there.”

Ring meets many veterans as he walks who tell him how his efforts have given them faith that things will get better. When he spoke Tuesday night to the VFW Post 5733 here, one of the post’s members said he was almost one of the 22 veterans per day who commit suicide.

When Ring started his first walk, he determined, “If I could save one veteran’s life walking 2,500 miles, the walk would be worth it.”

As Ring hit the end of the pier in Santa Monica, a gentleman that had walked with them that day came up and said, “You know what you said about saving one guy’s life? I’m that guy.”

“It hit me almost like somebody hit me in the throat,” said Ring. “It motivated me to keep going.”

He has met Viet Nam veterans who still are not getting the help they need.

“How as a country are we going to help younger veterans when we can’t even help Viet Nam veterans?” he asked.

“Our political system, our military (are) the problem. We need to change things,” he continued.  “Most of the time when you talk to a politician from state up it’s all campaign talk….When you talk to the VA, it’s all politics.”

“We can sign legislation all day long, but there’s no allocation for funds, and there’s no platform, there’s no direction,” he said. “The political system we have in this country is failing our veterans. We get lost in the shuffle and basically become chess pieces.”

“If you’re not working to support veterans’ issues and you’re not actually doing something, you’re part of the problem.”

The group left Demopolis Thursday morning for Uniontown, the next leg of their trip.

Anyone who wants to support Fight the Fire Within can log on to Ring’s website, buddywatchwalk.com. He can be followed on Facebook and Instagram.