Every day 20 men and women who have served their country take their own lives. That's according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Now, one group is working to get the word out and hopefully bring that number down.
John Laflash is a US Army veteran. He knows what it's like to come home to a different world than the one he was serving in.
"You know we have the really, H.O.O.A.H mentality to get stuff done, but there's a lot of things inside that you really can't see," said Laflash.
He also knows what it's like to lose a loved one in uniform. His brother died while serving in 2002.
“I want to be honorable for my brother, for my military service, for my fellow battle buddies, for those that I know have passed on already,” said Laflash.
Laflash and more than 800 others are participating in the 20 mile veteran suicide rucksack march, put together by 4th H.O.O.A.H.
“It's raising that awareness to, you know, how we can better support ourselves, our veterans, our battle buddies," said Laflash.
"To see the community rally and so many more people getting involved, it's pretty amazing," said Julie Puyleart, 4th H.O.O.A.H.
But this is no walk in the park.
Through the cold and the snow, walkers began their trek at stadium view in Ashwaubenon, through Downtown Green Bay, before heading back north along the Fox River, ending up in De Pere for 10 miles, turning around, and doing it all over again.
"It's a little bit slippery but we're making due," said Holly Hucek, participant.
"It's beautiful scenery, I mean, you can't do any better than walking next to the river with friends, friends and family," said Laflash.
This walk is shorter than in past years and that's because it may be working.
The VA says the suicide rate has dropped from 22 veterans a day to 20. That number is still miles from where organizations like 4th H.O.O.A.H want it to be.
H.O.O.A.H leaders say they've raised more than 80 thousand dollars today.
That money will go to both helping the families of deployed servicemen as well as veterans coming home.
