Veterans to complete ruck march from Denver to Colorado Springs

DENVER ( KDVR ) — On average, 22 veterans a day die by suicide, but the actual number may be higher. To raise awareness, Michael Connors, along with two other veterans, will be walking from Denver all the way to Colorado Springs over four days.

They will walk 105 miles in total over three and a half days starting Wednesday morning in Denver in what is known as a ruck march. The trio will then walk from Colorado Springs back to Castle Rock.

After spending 18 months recovering from the wounds of war at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, Connors was introduced to the power of service dogs and what they could accomplish to help other veterans.

When he retired, Connors founded a business, Connors K9 PAWS, that trains dogs to provide recreational therapy opportunities to veterans.

Each night will be marked with a checkpoint party and fundraiser in the corresponding city.

The one in Colorado Springs will be on Thursday, May 23 at Dog Haus. A final fundraiser will be held at the march’s completion on Saturday, May 25 at 105 West Brewing Company in Castle Rock.

Anyone who would like to see the completion of the ruck march should be expecting them to cross the finish line at 1:05 p.m. on May 25.

You can track the trio’s progress here .

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The 988 suicide and crisis lifeline can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, chat or text. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

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