Hiking for a cause

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Washburn
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Members from all around Davis-Monthan came together at Colossal Cave Mountain Park to participate in the third annual Ruckin' for Veterans May 7. Airmen brought their significant others, friends, children and even their dogs to enjoy a day of fun in the sun and camaraderie.

Ruckin' for Veterans is a six-mile trek through the mountains to help raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project.

"The whole purpose of the event is to benefit the Wounded Warrior project," said Senior Airman Ashley Lugo, Ruckin' for Veterans program director. "All proceeds and donations go to help veterans do things they ordinarily wouldn't be able to do because of medical or financial reasons."

According to Airman Lugo, two years ago, Senior Airman Christian Coleman, the founder and past director of Ruckin' for Veterans, was reading online about the Wounded Warrior project and found a story that he really cared about. He decided to start an event in Tucson to help benefit the Wounded Warrior project. He started up Ruckin' for Veterans as a small hike in Ventana Canyon, raising 1,200 dollars.

"The following year, the event was held at Bridal Wreath Falls, which grew to about 450 people," she said. "The event really took off from there."

Not only are events like Ruckin' for Veterans a way for military members to come together and show support for those who have been wounded in battle, but it's also used as inspiration.

"These events help raise awareness for the need to assist our veterans," Airman Lugo said. "It lets them know they're not forgotten. When they see pictures and videos of all the people who came out to help, it's a big spiritual boost for them."

And for Airman Lugo, that's one of the best things about the Ruckin' for Veterans event.

"For me, the most rewarding aspect of working on this project is being able to say that I helped make a veteran's life better," she said.

Senior Airman Elizabeth Boldt, from the 355th Maintenance Group, was one of the Airmen who participated in the event.

"Everyone from my shop was coming out and I thought it would be fun to participate and enjoy the outdoors," Airman Boldt said. "It's important to keep a good community around us and help out the people who came before us."

With the growing rate of Ruckin' for Veterans, Airman Lugo is looking to make the event better every year and to keep making it a huge success.

"For future events, we would like to change up the National Anthem performance," Airman Lugo said. "Last year we had a bagpipe player, this year was a singer, so next year we may get a high school ROTC involved or for the posting of the flags. We would also like to have more T-shirts and water bottles to sell to help raise more money and different things to cook besides burgers and hot dogs."

Ruckin' for Veterans is a great volunteer opportunity for anyone who would like to help.

"Next year, I'll be sending out an email asking for point of contacts to help set-up or take down the event and help with planning," Airman Lugo said. "You can also be a POC when closer to the actual day and be a middle-man between their units and us, helping with any questions or relaying any information."