John Ring, an infantryman with the Georgia Army National Guard, has walked over 2,000 miles across the U.S.
"I don't have the issues I'm walking for. I'm walking for my brothers and sisters," Ring says.
He's raising awareness one mile at a time for veterans who have PTSD, mental health, homelessness, unemployment, addiction and other issues. Everything, Ring says, that's causing our country's heroes to commit suicide at alarming rates.
Ring doesn't walk alone. Many veterans, supporters and more have joined him across the country. One supporter, retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant Jimmy Mathews, moved by Ring's effort stuck around for over 1,000 miles. He's experienced first hand the struggles veterans face after service.
"Some of them fall into a place where they feel as if no one cares, but as long as we do things like this to show them that we care, other people care and the community cares. I think we'll reach them at a greater rate," says Mathews.
Ring's effort started in Georgia. He met Mathews in Mississippi. The pair has made numerous stops, including Chandler, en route to their final stop in California. If you're interested, follow Ring and Mathews's journey at buddywatchwalk.com.
