Pence To Join BraveHearts ‘Trail To Zero’ Ride Into Fort Wayne
Pence To Join BraveHearts ‘Trail To Zero’ Ride Into Fort Wayne
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Staff Report-
Pence To Join BraveHearts ‘Trail To Zero’ Ride Into Fort WayneHARVARD, Ill. – Reflecting on this 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, on Oct. 9 BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding and former Vice President Mike Pence will honor U.S. veterans with a 20-mile "Trail to Zero" ride through Fort Wayne.
BraveHearts is the leading program in the United States offering equine-assisted therapy to veterans suffering mental health-related and physical challenges as a result of their military mission, according to a news release from the organization. BraveHearts has hosted its "Trail to Zero" rides in cities across the country over the last five years in an effort to commemorate the 20 veterans who lose their mental health battle to suicide each day in the United States. The BraveHearts' mission is to offer its special and successful brand of equine assisted therapy and activities to every veteran who would benefit.
“To know that veterans who have already sacrificed so much are returning home to fight their own war on suicide, is beyond heartbreaking. It is imperative we raise awareness and find solutions to actively protect those who put their lives on the line for our nation," said Meggan Hill-McQueeney, president and chief operations officer, BraveHearts. “Trail to Zero was developed to combat the intensifying suicide crisis. Our mission is for these events to be critical conversations starters and immediate call to action to provide veterans the vital support they need."
The Fort Wayne ride will take place Oct. 9 and follows the opening of Veterans National Memorial Shrine earlier this year. The tour will be attended by Pence, an avid supporter of Trail to Zero.
"We are thrilled to bring BraveHearts' ‘Trail to Zero’ tour to Fort Wayne this year - a first for our city. With Fort Wayne's sizable veteran population, the BraveHearts' mission to eliminate veteran suicide is meaningful to our city and aligns with our community's deeply held values," said Richard Beck, Allen County commissioner. "Innovative and alternative activities and therapies should not be the last stop or the last hope for veterans. These BraveHearts' veterans are here to tell their stories of hope and salvation as a result of these programs. As a community, we are committed to our veterans and won't rest until this epidemic of suicide is eliminated."
Riders from the Three Rivers Horse Trail Group will also be joining BraveHearts for the Fort Wayne Trail to Zero ride. This not-for-profit group, in conjunction with the Allen County Commissioners, are constructing a Horse Trail Park in the county which will be ADA compliant and available to the Therapeutic Riding programs in the community, the news release states. Summit Equestrian, which started its veteran program in 2018, will also have six veterans join in this year's ride.
"Having served as a United States Marine in Afghanistan, I know firsthand how difficult it is to come home and make sense of your tour of duty and your new place in the U.S. For many veterans, the aftermath brings deep despair and, far too often, suicide. It is a national tragedy. Programs like those BraveHearts offers are simply life-saving. It is imperative we put our shoulders into rescuing the very best men and women the country has groomed after they have given us their best. BraveHearts offers them the very best path to healing and to learning skills that translate to opportunity as our veterans reconnect with the U.S.," said Nick Montijo, veteran advancement coordinator, BraveHearts.
BraveHearts' "Trail to Zero" multi-city tour kicked off in September, being National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and also includes rides scheduled in Lexington, Ky., (Oct. 1) and New York City (Oct. 16). To learn more, visit trailtozero.org.
