This Sunday, August 10, 2025, Americans across the nation will lace up their shoes and take purposeful steps to raise awareness about veteran suicide—an epidemic claiming the lives of approximately 22 veterans every day. The effort, led by Marine and Army Veteran Tim French, is entering its 4th Annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Walk, and the goal is simple yet powerful: representation from all 50 states.
As of this week, over 100 people have signed up to walk in 39 states—but 11 states are still missing:
Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.
If you live in one of these states, you are urgently needed. Your walk can be as short or as long as you wish. You can walk solo or with friends and family. All that’s asked is that you carry an American flag and a photo of fallen Marine/Army veteran Dustin Parker, which Tim will provide to you directly. Then, take a few photos during your walk—including Dustin’s photo and the flag—and send them to Tim with a short message about your experience.
Participation is completely free, and there’s no set start time—walk whenever and wherever you want on Sunday, August 10th. Your walk becomes part of a nationwide visual tribute, with submitted photos and stories compiled into a video to honor Dustin Parker and every veteran who has lost the battle after service.
Last year’s video captured the emotional power of this grassroots movement:
🎥 Watch the 2024 Walk Recap
This isn’t just a walk. It’s a message that no veteran is forgotten—and your presence makes that message louder. It’s one thing to say “Support Our Veterans.” It’s another to step outside, carry a flag, and show it. That’s what this walk is about: visibility, action, and unity.
Here’s How to Participate:
- Message Tim French on Facebook with your city, state, and number of walkers:
👉 Tim French Facebook Profile - Let him know if you want the photo of Dustin Parker sent digitally or by mail.
- Walk anytime on August 10, carrying a U.S. flag and Dustin’s photo.
- Take pictures of your walk, then message them to Tim along with a short description of how it went and who walked with you.
Let’s make 2025 the year all 50 states join together to fight the silent battle veterans face every day.
Veteran suicide is not a distant statistic—it’s a national emergency, and every step taken in this walk is one more voice rising in remembrance, support, and change.
Veterans, families, and supporters—especially those in AK, HI, ND, IA, OK, WV, DE, CT, RI, NH, and ME—this is your call to action. Let’s stand united. Let’s walk for the 22.
VeteranSuicideAwareness #22ADay #WalkForDustin #TimFrenchWalk #SupportOurVeterans #50StateVeteranWalk #REDFriday #NeverForgotten #CTVeterans #VeteransOfConnecticut #VeteransInAction #CVB #ConnecticutVeteransBulletin
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.