ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2014 Hundreds of people participate in the Sgt. Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt Ruck every year.<\/p>\n
The Ruck raises awareness and works to combat veteran suicide. The term \u201cruck\u201d can refer to a bag or a hike where a person carries a bag. The term is often used in the military<\/a>.<\/p>\n Chase Georgevich said preparing his ruck connects him to his best friend. Chase said the 50 pounds of gear is a reminder of his friend and all the service members who have lost their lives to suicide.<\/p>\n “I would give anything to tell my best friend that, like, ‘Hey dude, you’re just having a bad night,'” he said. ‘Let’s go hang out. Let’s go grab a beer. Let’s go play pool. Let’s do anything. Let’s just talk.'”<\/p>\n Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt lost his life to suicide five years ago.<\/p>\n Anthony’s mother, Tanya Mort, said her son always knew he wanted to serve our country.<\/p>\n She describes him as loyal, dedicated, and a true leader.<\/p>\n He’s why she started the Sgt. Anthony Patrick Muhlstadt Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n “We don’t want any more CACOs (Casualty Assistance Calls Officer) knocking on families’ doors, telling them they lost their son or daughter to suicide,” she said.<\/p>\n The money the organization raises goes to Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training.<\/p>\n This helps others recognize suicidal risk and provide life-saving first aid.<\/p>\n “I think that most people, they don’t recognize it, they don’t see it, or they believe that it couldn’t happen to them until it does,” Tanya said.<\/p>\n The Ruck is on June 6.<\/p>\n The first year, they had 250 participants. Tanya says that this year, they’re expecting around 700.<\/p>\n According to the Department of War<\/a>, 471 service members died by suicide in 2024.<\/p>\n