Every Memorial Day weekend, veterans, family members, and supporters from all over the United States come together to walk 20 miles to honor and remember the service members we lost at home and on the battlefield. Our 20-mile hike represents the 20 veterans we lose every single day to suicide.
This year we are hosting our Ruck March a little differently. Instead of one day, our event will expand across 4 days with different level routes across the Chicagoland area. You can finish your 20-miles in one day or split it up between all 4, starting on Friday, May 28th and ending on Monday, May 31st.
We encourage you to join one of suggested routes or explore a new neighborhood, hike in the forest preserve, walk along the beach or along a trail. Be sure to take photos and videos to share them with everyone during your walk. We will have community partners opening their doors during the weekend so be sure to stop by one of our many locations and meet some new friends.
“I’ve lost friends and family members, the Chicago Veterans Ruck March is my way of coping and remembering them. Walking side by side thousands of people who share a similar experience is something I will always cherish.” – Charlie S.
Registration is now open! We hope you will join us and help raise awareness around Veteran suicide and help end this epidemic. If you’re as passionate about our cause as we are, we encourage you to register for the Ruck March, volunteer for the event, create a fundraising page, or if you’re up for it, do all three!
Our goal is to honor our fallen brothers and sisters by raising as much awareness as possible around PTSD and veteran suicide epidemic through our Ruck March. This year we have also including our Suicide Prevention Training with registration.
Click here to register
Grab your friends, co-workers and also family members and register as a team! Each year we have as much as 150 teams register and participate. The 20-Mile walk is undoubtedly difficult. Having a motivational and supportive team will help get you cross the finish line. Some teams generally start training weeks and months before the Ruck March. Training helps them get in shape as well as better prepare for the walk ahead.
**Please be sure to follow all your local COVID-19 restrictions in your area. You can motivate and walk with your friends virtually.
Click here to register as a Team!
Our Ruck March brings together thousands of participants. Our volunteers are equally important, without them this event would not be possible. Over 100 volunteers help make this event a success.
This year’s volunteering will be a little different. Since we are not hosting the event in person, we need volunteers to help share our mission. Hang flyers at local businesses, share on social media, take photos and more! Volunteer registration is not open yet so please be sure to check back soon.
We understand the importance of the community coming together and walking the 20-miles, but due to covid, we are unable to host an event this large walking through multiple townships.
Instead, our community is coming together to create multiple routes all over the Chicagoland area, from American Legions to our current Ruck March teams. Once a team or supporting organization creates a route, we will share it with all participants. If you have a suggested route you’d like to share, please email us at RuckMarch@chicagovets.org.
The routes will incorporate some local businesses (pre-arranged) that you can support if you are on the route.
Chicago Veterans volunteers will only be at a few suggested routes on Saturday, May 29, 2021; but you will have an opportunity to complete the 20 miles during the entire Memorial Day weekend.
If you don’t want to walk any of the routes, you will also have the freedom to complete the event on your own.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for example in-kind donations such as bottled water and snacks to larger monetary sponsorships. If you or your company is interested in becoming a sponsor, please email us at RuckMarch@Chicagovets.org. We will email you our official sponsorship package.
Also, if you have a creative idea you wish to present for our Chicago Veterans Ruck March, please feel free to let us know. Send us an email or click here to contact us via our website.
Have a question? Please visit our Ruck March FAQ Page to learn more about event day, registration, what to pack, expectations, teams, donations and more!
Help us raise awareness and share our Ruck March flyer at your job, local VFW/American Legion Posts, Coffee Shops, Bars/Restaurants and everywhere in between. Download our Poster Size (11x17in) or our Flyer Size (8.5x11in)
