'Ruck March' Aims To Help Veterans

ROYAL OAK, MI — Everyone always says that “we” should do more for our Veterans. In Royal Oak Saturday, there’s a chance to do just that with the city’s 2.2-mile Ruck March starting at 9 a.m.

A “ruck” march involves walking quickly with a weighted backpack. In the Armed Forces, participants carry at least 45 pounds in their backpack.

For the Veteran’s Day event, city officials are asking participants to carry either 22 items or 22 pounds as they run or walk from the Hallman Plaza adjacent to Royal Oak city hall to the Royal Oak Veterans' of Foreign Wars Post at Fourth and Troy Streets.

Personal and food items collected from the event will be donated to the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 Food Pantry and American Legion Post 253. The items will be distributed to veterans under medical care at the Veterans Affair facilities.

City officials chose 22 pounds or items because 22 veterans commit suicide in the United States every day. Here’s a partial list of items that will be accepted:

• Emory boards
• White socks with no elastic
• Shaving cream
• New briefs/boxers/t-shirts
• Mouthwash (non-alcoholic)
• Washcloths
• Gum/hard candy
• Wheelchair gloves
• Hair brushes
• Reading eye glasses
• Deodorant
• Kleenex
• Bottled water
• Tea bags

Click here for a full list of items. Register here for the event.

The cost to participate is $10 for adults, $5 for children 17 and under $5 and active and retired military are free.

All participants receive a commemorative ID tag to place on backpacks courtesy of the Royal Oak Community Coalition. Proceeds from registration will be donated to the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial.

Event Schedule

9:00 am – Registration at Barbara Hallman Plaza (211 S. Williams)

9:30 am – Shot Gun Start for 2.2 Mile Ruck | Fun Run | Walk

10:45 am – March to Veterans War Memorial at Royal Oak Public Library

11:00 am – Veterans Day Ceremony

Photo by 2nd Armored Brigade Company via Flickr Commons