By Doug La Rocque
Whether it was nearly 25 miles or the shorter 10-mile route, members of our country’s military, both past and present, and residents of the Capital Region proved for the third year in a row how important it is to support our veterans in need. [private] Walking with packs and sometimes American flags on their backs as well, they marched to support and bring attention to vets suffering from a myriad of physical and mental challenges. The annual event is sponsored by the Rensselaer County organization called “Heroes at Home”, a peer support group that is dedicated to the healthy and successful reintegration of members of the military and their loved ones back into the community.
The event is coordinated by Amy Molloy, who says besides the obvious show of support, the Ruckmarch helps to build partnerships in the community. She also told The Eastwick Press that their approach to helping the vets has changed in the last year. Instead of having these veterans come to preset locations, they now focus on going to them. Meeting with veterans in their homes, or whereever they are most comfortable.
One of the first time marchers was Scott Garbien of Latham, a member of Team Red, White and Blue, who says he marched because “It’s important to help vets engage themselves back into civilian life. Our goal is to enrich their lives, and to bond with our veterans.”
Monica Stephan of Washingtonville was participating in her third march, this time without her husband Andrew and their friend, Lt. Brennan Thierry of Schodack. Both planned to be part of this year’s event, but as members of the National Guard, they were activated to help in New York City after the recent series of bombings. Monica, herself an Army veteran who served in Kuwait, said it was important to her to make this year’s march as “my way of connecting with and supporting our veterans community.”
Heroes at Home provides peer support for military members who have suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress, traumatic brain injuries, substance abuse and mental health problems, as well as reintegration and employment difficulties. Their services include individual and support groups, social activities, referrals and information, training, workshops and advocacy groups. They can be reached at 518-279-7861.
The organization also wished to express their thanks to the VFW Posts in Grafton and Poestenkill, Rensselaer County Veterans Services, The Grafton Fire Department, Rensselaer County and Grafton EMS and all the volunteers who helped organize the March and staff the support stations along the route.[/private]