WACO, TX — A national organization is making a difference, one step a time.
"Irreverent Warriors" is a national organization that unites veterans from all over the country to bring awareness to suicide.
On Saturday, a Silkies Hike took off from Brotherwell Brewery and made its way throughout the staples of Waco.
"The mission is to prevent suicides, its a different kind of therapy so the hikes are the prevention," said Jacob Romero.
Veterans from different parts of the country like Waco, Dallas, Kentucky and Maryland were in attendance.
"From the outside perspective it looks ridiculous, but the entire point is to take the masculine walls that everyone puts up and take them down," said Nate McDonald.
Attendees dressed up in American pride gear as they as they hiked.
"We always check up on each other and when we see each other we just make sure that we are okay," said Giovanni Martinez.
According to the 2019 National Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the number of Veteran suicide deaths increased by nearly 2,000 in their latest numbers.
"If one of these guys has a bad night, we want him to have 7 numbers he can call that night so that is the goal, we want this to spread," said McDonald.
"Irreverent Warriors" coordinates hikes all over the country and they say any veteran is welcome.
Saturday's hike was 9.3 miles miles.
They passed multiple city staples like the Suspension Bridge, Baylor University, The Dr. Pepper Museum and many more.
If you are a veteran and would like to participate in these hikes, you can find all the details here.
