A Corvallis High School graduate is partnering with the Veteran’s Victory Alliance, in Sula, to run a 22-mile ruck march fundraiser on June 17 to raise awareness about veteran suicide in the Bitterroot Valley, uplift the VVA’s accommodations for wounded veterans and improve Montana’s suicide statistics.
Landen Conner, a 2021 CHS graduate, attends Carroll College and is in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) near Fort Harrison in Helena.
Conner said his decision to offer the ruck march began last fall after a soldier at Ft. Harrison committed suicide.
“It spurred me to research suicide statistics in Montana and ways to prevent it,” Conner said.
He found that, on average, 22 veterans take their life a day in the U.S.
“That heartbreaking statistic inspired me to conduct a 22-mile ruck march to show every single veteran in the valley that their sacrifices are appreciated, that they are cared for by the community and that the next generation of military officers wants to honor those who came before,” Conner said. “I learned that Bitterroot has a higher-than-normal suicide risk level with its high percentage of veterans with few resources to address health concerns.”
With that information he began looking for groups making an impact in the valley that would benefit from additional resources.
“I found that the Veteran’s Victory Alliance is a nonprofit that specializes in helping veterans and first responders recover from hidden wounds,” Conner said. “Their mission statement is, ‘to offer veteran and first responder programs a rustic and comfortable Montana ranch facility for programs to conduct activities focused on personal and team wellness.'”
Conner discovered the VVA is raising $38,000 to finish a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and decided to help.
The event is called “Operation 22” for the miles covered. The term “ruck march” can mean walking with a backpack, or moving quickly with full military gear.
Conner will carry a 35 pound pack.
“By no means do others have to do the same,” he said. “There will not be water stations, so people should bring enough fluids to stay hydrated if they care to join me.”
Starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, Conner will conduct a 22-mile ruck march through Hamilton starting at the RAL trail in honor of Robert Leonardi.
Starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, Conner will conduct a 22-mile ruck march through Hamilton starting at the RAL trail in honor of Robert Leonardi. Participants will go as far east as 1210 Tammany Lane, head west until the intersection of Westside Road and Canyon Creek Road, go as far south as Roaring Lion Road, and end at the Veterans’ Monument by Dairy Queen.
“The original plan was for me to ruck alone, but local military groups and other community members have shown interest in joining me, so all are welcome to participate in some or all of the ruck,” Conner said. “The VVA is also exploring a virtual ruck option. I’ll have details on that later. The VVA will have information updates on its website to keep the public informed.”
For more information contact Conner at [email protected], or visit https://veteransvictoryalliance.org/
Conner is a biochemistry major at Carroll College set to graduate in 2025. After graduation and completing his ROTC commitment, he would normally commission as a 2nd Lieutenant but is pursuing medical school.
“I plan to delay my commission using an ‘educational delay’ that means I won’t commission as a 2nd Lieutenant but instead commission as a Captain upon medical school graduation,” Conner said.
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