Lincoln, NE — In a remarkable show of support for veterans, 200 Nebraskans are set to embark on a 50-mile walk from Lincoln to Omaha this August. The event, organized by the 50 Mile Foundation, aims to raise awareness and provide hope for veterans facing mental health challenges and homelessness.

“It is to impact and help, to provide hope for our veterans through our community, and through different services, help fight homelessness, help fight suicide and other mental health concerns,” said Nick Brown, the platoon leader for the foundation, emphasized the walk’s purpose.

“We statistically were one of the largest increase in homelessness in the nation, not just veteran specific but homelessness. Right now, up to 150 of our veteran neighbors are sleeping without a roof over their head right now, and 1 in 4 will face a mental health diagnosis, and 1 in 10 multiple diagnosis,” said Executive Director Brianne Schuler highlighted the growing issues veterans face.

The event, now in its sixth year, has seen significant growth. “In 2020, 6 friends got together and decided they were going to walk from Lincoln to Omaha, raise funds and awareness for veterans causes, and it was just supposed to be a onetime event. Flash forward, last year we had 148 participants and raised just shy of $600,000,” said Schuler.

The marchers, divided into four platoons of 50, will carry ruck bags to simulate military conditions. Brown has been preparing participants with training sessions three days a week, “We meet on Wednesday, Fridays and Sunday at 5 a.m., and we ruck about five miles. Then once a month or so we go 10 miles to try and train for a little longer distances,” said Brown.