GREEN BAY (NBC 26) — Sunday is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Day. It’s a day meant to raise awareness and help anyone who might be affected by PTSD.
It's a condition that many veterans experience too often, especially as they transition back to life after the military.
Isaac Skiff is a veteran who just got out of service last year. He was in the Marines and explains the reality of PTSD among U.S. Veterans.
“You’re not ready. You’re 18. Most people are 18 when they join and you jump into a lot of responsibility and life catches up with you. Then you get up to that pace and then all of a sudden it's all cut off. One day it’s just cut off and you go back to normal life,” said Isaac Skiff.
As Isaac moves forward with life after service he is now rooting on his his brother, Sam Skiff who is proactively working to help veterans combat with PTSD.
“As a man sometimes it’s like ‘oh, man up and handle it’ but yes the reality of it is that you do need to reach out because there’s people. No matter who you are, everybody got somebody that would miss you if you are gone. So, that’s the reality that keeps everybody going hopefully one more day at a time right so,” Isaac said.
Sam is a student at St. Norbert College. He is one of two students from St. Norbert and two from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB) who are participating on a ruck march to raise money and raise awareness for American veterans.
This is the second year Sam is doing this. In fact, Isaac said last year as he was returning from his time in the Marines that’s when he first saw his brother, Sam participating in the ruck march for the first time.
“My return home we drove back from California and the first time I saw him he was hiking. It was right around this time last year. I think just his patriots is powerful to say the least. We are very blessed to have each other. I wouldn’t say he’s my favorite brother but I’m extremely proud of him and to see him supporting such a noble cause is amazing,” Isaac said.
They will ruck for seven days down the coast of Lake Michigan beginning at the Veteran’s Memorial outside Lambeau Field.
They started on Sunday and will finish their journey at the Veterans Park Memorial in downtown Milwaukee on Saturday, July 3rd.
Watch below:
For another student part of this march, Andrew Lopez explains why he is participating this year:
“I thought it would be a good opportunity to raise awareness for the people that give so much for us, give back and I just really thought it’d be great to give back,” Lopez said.
He said especially as they bring awareness to PTSD, it’s important veterans know they are not alone. There is help.
“There’s people out there whether they know them or not that know that every life matters, every light needs to stay on. We can’t have lights go out. Every light is important to the beautiful show of the world. So, just keep talking to people, reach out and try to get help,” Lopez said.
Lopez said he himself plans to join the Army upon graduation from St. Norbert College.
“I thought that maybe joining the military would help me choose a career path but ultimately in the last year or so I’ve decided I want to serve our country and try to make the world a better place,” Lopez said.
He said the 140 muck ruck march won’t be easy but says he’s prepared for the mental challenge ahead.
“Obviously the weather it’s going to be tough this next week, especially today. There’s going to be some minor injuries just like blisters, callouses, but nothing that we can’t get through,” Lopez said.
The goal of the four students is to raise $20,000. They say every dollar will go to the 4th HOOAH, a veterans charity group in Green Bay.
The group provides local veterans support group, skydiving and scuba diving opportunities, window and A/C repair, and other supportive methods.
Family, friend and loved ones of these students came to cheer on the four participating:
The girlfriend of one of the students participating in the march says she’s trying to be the best possible support system for her boyfriend Sam.
“I’m trying to be there for him as much as I can. Last year and this year my mom and I are going to bring them lunch once in a while. Meet up with them where they are and try to support them that way and just be there and give encouragement as we can,” said Emma Hutter, Fond du Lac.
She stresses the importance of what they are all doing and how much it's important to help support our men and women in service.
“I have a great amount of gratitude for everyone who is willing to risk their life or offer their services in any way and I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for them,” Hutter said.
Hutter hoping to motivate her boyfriend and the others as much as possible.
“I like to think that I’m good at keeping a positive mindset so any way that I can transfer that to them and help them in that way I’d like to,” Hutter said.
If you’d like to donate and help these student raise money towards their goal, click here.
