On Sept. 28, Department of Texas Commander Tom Marty, and Legionnaires Bret Humphreys, Don Hutchcraft and T.J. Robie, participated in the Texas State Parks Ruck for Veteran Suicide Awareness at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin. Texas State Parks, along with the Texas Veterans Commission, held their second annual ruck to raise awareness about veteran suicide. Each member was requested to carry a ruck with 17 pounds of non-perishable food items, representing the 17 veterans lost to suicide each day. At the end of the three-mile ruck, those items were donated to a local food bank, to go to veterans in need. Marty spoke with a Gold Star Mother who lost her son, and another mother who stated she had also lost her son to his battle with depression and PTSD. Marty told those present about The American Legion's pledge through the "Be the One" campaign to change lives and save lives. He emphasized the commitment of the Department of Texas to do whatever we can and be wherever we can to bring veteran suicide to an end.