Morgan County Ruck March 2025

MALTA, Ohio – Suicide amongst veterans is more prevalent than people realize and a local VFW is on the march to bring attention to the concern. 

Malta VFW Post 4713 will be involved in two events this weekend that will honor fallen veterans and shine a spotlight on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which affects a disproportionate amount of veterans.

“Friday, which would be the Silent Watch, where we set up a casket on the Square in McConnelsville. We post guards and we also have pictures of those veterans, who have taken their life through suicide. Starts at 7 a.m. If you want to take a stand as a guard for the casket, just show up and there’s no dress requirements or anything like that, wear what you like. And we’ll put you on the schedule and you can stand there and protect the casket for 20 minutes,” VFW Post 4713 Commander Randall Kintz said.

It is estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide per day and when one of those takes place in a small community, it can make a large impact. The Morgan County awareness events began as a result of 33-year-old Army Veteran Justin Kaid’s suicide in June of 2023.  

“Saturday, we have our annual Ruck March, which is suicide prevention, an awareness ruck march. We start registration at 6 a.m. We start the program at 8. The program lasts 15-20 minutes. We have a guest speaker, a couple of political proclamations are made, we also have the Vet Center Mobile Unit from Huntington there with counselors on site, local mental health professionals will be there as well to offer their services or to start a relationship with them,” Kintz said.

The march will cover about 3-miles and return to a free continental breakfast with plenty of conversation and fellowship at the VFW, located at 235 Front Street in Malta. Both Friday and Saturday’s events are free and open to the public. For more information, click HERE.