OSHKOSH, WI -- A larger crowd than anticipated gathered together to shed light on the issue of veteran suicides.
Many participating in the "March for the 22" say they had personal reasons for taking part.
For an event that organizers say came together through word of mouth this week, UW Oshkosh student veterans association president Aaron Kloss says he's floored by the dozens that have come to march.
"I can't even put into words how I feel about it," says Kloss, moments before the march, "it's just amazing to me."
The name of the march references Veterans Affairs data that shows roughly 22 veterans commit suicide each day. According to new numbers in 2014, 20 veterans committed suicide per day. But officials stress better data does not mean the problem is getting better.
"To think that 22 a day commit suicide-to think that one a day commits suicide," says Jessica Bickler of the SVA, who has also lost family members to suicide, "that's too many in my book."
Like Kloss and Bickler, many marching have lost friends and loved ones.
"I've lost people to suicide in my units," says Kloss. "I struggled with suicidal tendencies myself before I sought treatment at the local VA clinic. I mean, just the loss of human life when, in my opinion, it can be prevented."
"We tell people that this isn't just a statistic," says Bickler. "It's real. It's happening."
While there are resources out in the community for veterans struggling with depression, organizers of Thursday's march say community support is its own resource.
"Recognizing that someone isn't right, and someone needs somebody to talk to," explains Kloss, "is realistically all there needs to be to stop it from happening."
If you’re a veteran or service member and in crisis, please visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline's website or seek help from your doctor.
