The story below is the same story I've posted the last 4 years now, slightly modified each time. Even if you've read it in past years, please read it again. I want everyone to know why I ruck.
This year has been another tough one, but the ruck will go on. We won't be on the mean streets of Ocean County this year either. But, we will be out there...raising funds, raising awareness, and raising some eyebrows with some of the shorts being worn. There is a set location at the Manasquan Reservoir again, but the possibility of doing it anywhere a team wants to or can do it remains. Don't let geography get in the way. This is a cause worth supporting, and you can help from anywhere. North Carolina? Yup. Florida? Yup. San Quentin Correctional Facility? Um, maybe. I'd have to look into that. We all know money is tight, and we're not asking anyone to give when they can't. You can help by spreading the message. Yes, we are encouraging some super spreading this year (sorry couldn't help myself). Let people know about MA22, the ruck, and the benefits of flossing as well as brushing.
Details of the ruck follow the story.
Please read the story as many times as you want.
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My name is Jim Peck, and I am a veteran of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. I always tell people that, yes I served but you'll never find my name in any history books. I come from a family with a rich heritage of military service, many of them Marines also. One of the best things of having served is the bond veterans have with one another whether they have ever met before or not. Despite differences in branches, it's there. Generally covered up by some good-natured ribbing.
Unfortunately, there is an epidemic in this country that is resulting in the suicide of an average of 22 veterans a day. This walk is one of many events that occurs each year to help raise awareness as well as funds to help vets in need get the help they so desperately need. It changed the lives of the founders of Ma Deuce Deuce, and it could do the same for others. Unfortunately, this year hasn't seen quite the same activity as years past, but the Ruck goes on.
For the fourth year in a row, my team is named Team Nighthawk after Christopher M. "Nighthawk" Corley. Chris was a Marine who I only knew through Facebook, but he was one hell of a funny guy. Facebook is a blessing, and at times a curse. One day, Chris posted a message that was clearly a cry for help. I watched the responses over the course of probably 4 or 5 hours as fellow Marines and friends came together to get in touch with him and try to help. Unfortunately, by the time they got to him, it was too late. On February 28, 2018, Chris joined the ranks of that day's 22.
In the aftermath, I learned more about him from his friends and family. He was a huge Arnold Schwarzenegger fan, emulating his physical regimen, love of cigars, and even naming his dog Arnold.
He was a kid like me, dressing up in cammies and dreaming of one day becoming a Marine.
He loved his country and his Corps to the end. Unfortunately, whatever demons he dealt with won. That needs to stop.
I'm rucking for men and women like Chris in the hopes of raising awareness and funds. Last year's ruck was a huge event. This year is expected to be huge, but due to circumstances beyond our control it will be remotely done. Small groups, flexibility in scheduling over the course of a weekend. It also opens the event up to friends and family nationwide who may not have ever had the chance to join the event locally.
Together, we can make a huge difference. If you can walk with us, sign up for my team. You don't have to do the whole 22k but you'll get to the point that you will not want to stop. If you can't walk, you can donate under Team Nighthawk or any other team you want. The end goal is the same for all.
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this, and please spread the word. Share as much as you can, whether it is on Facebook, emails, chain letters, carrier pigeons or signal fires. This is the fifth annual ruck. Let's make it an awesome one! For Chris and all those both before and currently struggling.
Semper Fi!!
Jim
1. Ruck iT '22 is LIVE-ish! As stated in our social media, the event may not be as big as we have had in the past. We apologize for any disappointment or inconvenience. It has been a heck of a year for our team outside of MA22 planning, however the support for our veterans has not stopped and will not stop. The funds raised from this event will allow our team to step back and not be as inundated with fundraising plans and focus on personal health and restructuring our team to provide the exceptional veteran support we have been known for.
With that said, due to the time frame and a very crazy year for our MA22 team, although we are permitted to conduct this years ruck at the Manasquan Reservoir, we will not be able to have ALL of you with us. Our permit is capped at 250 participants. If you choose to come with us, your team captain will have to let us know how many will come so we can stay within our permit. We want to be welcome back, so this is a hard 250 limit. There will not be an after party. We are stepping off at 8am, 9/17/22. We will share finer details as we get closer. We will have a tent set up prior to step off to claim your shirts and will remain set up until we are done to claim your commemorative free patch. Refreshments, water, etc. will be available will supplies lasts! We have had great success the last two years with a virtual approach being it provides to let your team ruck anywhere, anytime.
2. Prizes for Teams and Individuals are still a GO! As done in past Ruck iT years, the TEAM that raised the highest amount of funds will take home the coveted BRT Trophy! The #AndNew champion of fundraising Team Nighthawk, raised a combined $5,170 to win the competition in 2021 and have their named forever etched on the BRT! Will your team be next... #AndNew?
The History
Operation: Ruck iT is a 22-kilometer (13.6 miles) ruck-style walk along the Jersey Shore to raise awareness of the 22 daily veteran suicide epidemic as well as raise funds needed to provide the level of support needed for our veterans . The Ruck is not an endurance race, but many are encouraged to wear 22lb packs to signify the number of veterans lost a day. It is NOT required to wear a weighted pack, but we do advise you wear comfortable attire/shoes and a hydration system (Camelbak). We are not like the other ruck marches you read about. This year it's totally up to you the pace and distance your members ruck. If you wanted 22 members to walk a kilometer each, so be it! If you want to walk
Ma Deuce WHO?
Marine veterans John Cohen and Dennis Addesso decided to start their own organization to make successful PTSD recovery programs known. Together they teamed up with local Marine , Tom Kiselow, and founded Ma Deuce Deuce (Ma22) . The name, derived from the M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun, or “Ma Deuce”, combined with the scariest number in America, “22”. This is the number of veteran suicides in America daily. As we were less a fan of the “take these and call us in 6 months” diagnosis, we set out to find other organizations that provided an outlet to unload post traumatic stress. We quickly became a hub to connect veterans with restorative resources at no cost to them. Our common objective is to help restore the hearts of veterans facing depression, anxiety, stress and isolation, suicidal thoughts and trauma from post-traumatic stress disorder. We have since expanded our welcoming Alumni Army Medic Veteran Don Redondo, Marine Veteran Daniel Sheehan. MA22 is now FIVE years strong with a team of several other veterans/ civilians alike, we continue to serve the brotherhood we hold so dear.
In short, we provide a “Get out of the house” service. Some of our local initiatives include taking veterans to Lakewood BlueClaws minor league baseball games to prevent isolation and to provide a recreational setting to lead the conversation toward how we can further help. Other outlets include fishing, kayaking, SCUBA, horseback riding, hunting, exotic car rides, helicopter/small aircraft rides, we held an event with former WWE Superstar Diamond Dallas Page doing DDPY! We teamed up local kickboxing fitness gym 9Round in Brick, NJ, consistent Ruck iT sponsors, participant and donated months upon months of free memberships to their gym for veterans and their families. We have assisted in helping vets with utility bills, repairs to their vehicles, and even with ensuring Christmas happened for several local families each year of our existence.
Requirements: 1. HAVE FUN! Each team will endure a 22k (13.6 miles) in a course of their choice. The team leader will send us a screenshot of your tracking app (Map My Fitness, Run Club, Strava, or whatever tracking app you choose) to daddesso@ma22.org to show your team has completed the mission. Remember, this is not an race! We encourage you all to Ruck your best, but there are no extra points for time or extra distances. We simply want as many participants to get in on all the fun and collectively complete the mission. If you are not joining us, we suggest having a safety vehicle in close proximity with refreshments or water refills available. We do not suggest you have a vehicle follow you like we have had in previous events. These types of escorts require permits and notifications to law enforcement prior to the event, weeks in advance.
Registration and Fundraising
Registered Ruckers have a $22 minimum registration. Once registered, all participants will have opportunities to have donations made in their name through Fundrazr. Those who raise a minimum of $75 will receive their commemorative t-shirt, FREE, the day of the event. Also, any participant reaching $250, will receive a SPECIAL EDITION not available anywhere #Ruckin’Tough Hoodie. Please note, offline contributions can be added to individual totals only after the funds are sent and received by MA22 prior to the event. Any offline contributions need to have the participants name and Ruck iT in the memo. Please contact daddesso@ma22.org for more details referring to offline contributions. Last years $250 club will be able to claim their #RuckinDeuces hoodies at the event or have them shipped. Dennis will contact you soon!
Commemorative Shirts
Anyone who would like to purchase the official commemorative Operation: Ruck iT T-shirts, V-necks, and event hoodies (same design as event shirt) can pre-order via Ma22: Ruck iT 2.0 Store (If link isn't ready by time of this post, check back, it will very soon). If you want your shirt shipped to you in time for the event, please order your shirt by Sept 9th! This will allow time, (7 days) for any possible shipping delays.
If you still want a shirt/patch from last years Ruck, you can find them on our other store Ma22 Storefront (just pay the shipping). You do not have to be a participant to buy any of the items on our Ruck iT store and it will ship nationwide. However, if you plan on participating and purchase your shirt, it will be ready for pick-up at Farro’s Tees in Toms River on or around September 10th. We are also planning to have the commemorative shirts available at SAILFEST 2022 in Island Heights Sept 10th. (Watch Ma22 events on Facebook for details)
You will have until Sept 10 to purchase or earn your commemorative shirt. If you think you will raise the required $75 for a free shirt, please do not order one right away. Due to a timeline to ensure all shirts are ready for the event, any new registrants or participants who hit the $75 mark after Sept 10 may be at risk to not receive their free event Tee-shirt. Ma22 will order an additional amount of shirts to hopefully prevent this from happening but cannot guarantee all will be fulfilled. We hope this encourages you to reach these levels before the deadline. Please note you will be able to donate to yourself at this time to reach your goal too. If you'd simply like to contribute with a donation and not ruck the 22k, we appreciate your donation!
Teams (Sub-Campaigns)
I’m going to tell you a little story to better explain how it works. Ted is a dude from Toms River, NJ and heard about his awesome group of vets doing big things in the area. He’s not in the best shape but he is confident he can walk 13.6 miles considering it's NOT a race and it’s a slow pace with frequent water points and (2) 30 minute rest stops. So Ted goes to Fundrazr.com/Ruckit2019 and clicks “Ruck with Ma22”. Ted knows quite a few people so he then clicks “Create a Team” and names it “Ted’s Diabolical Diva’s”. Ted's pays his required $22 registration fee. Please note, Ted will need to approve any member wishing to join his team via the admin panel. It is important Ted logs in when he receives a notification someone joined his team to prevent that participant from registering several times. Even if Ted didn’t know a lot of people, he would still click “Create a Team” to begin his Army of One to help raise funds. Ted could’ve also clicked “Join a Team” if he knew Sally, a friend from high school, started “Sally’s Sensational SeaRuckers” and wanted to join forces. Ted then writes a little bit why he wants to participate in Op: Ruck iT and he sets a fundraising goal. This amount is up to you. Ted then customizes his team, invites members, and helps MA22 raise $100,000! Here’s the finer details:
- Click “Join a Team” to join a team of your choosing. You will be eligible for individual awards regardless if you are on your own or any other team. Team awards will be discussed in a bit.
- Click “Create a Team” if you want to create a team of fundraisers OR if you are simply signing up alone. You are either a team of many or a team of one. Either way, it’s called simply a “team”.
- Please share what this event means to you and then set a goal you want to raise for it.
- Teams aka “Sub-Campaigns “ are totally customizable. Team owners can edit anything in their “Admin Panel”. Please feel free to change the pictures, titles of sub-campaign, add a video of your own... and the social media summary. You can even edit the link to your team ( fundrazr.com/tedsdiabolicaldivas ) By default, each team will have what MA22 has in the Master Campaign. We encourage you to make your team.. YOURS!
- Next “INVITE” those you want to join your team via email, or paste the link to your team on your social media outlets. New participants can then join your team and start fundraising individually and coincidentally, your team.
- Please note, offline contributions can be added to individual totals only after the funds are sent and received by MA22 prior to the event. Any offline contributions need to have the participants name and Ruck iT in the memo. Please contact daddesso@ma22.org for more details referring to offline contributions.
Perks & Prizes:
Remember, all participants who raise a combined (registration and donations) of $75 will receive their commemorative Op: Ruck iT shirt, FREE. These shirts can be shipped or picked up locally after Sept 10th.
Any individual participant raising $250 (or more) will receive a limited edition #RuckinTough hoodie 3-4 weeks after the event.. This hoodie is unlike the event design or any Ma22 design to date! If you know you got this in 2021, I appreciate your patience. 2021 got really hectic at the end there and a few things got left on the back burner. Thanks for understanding.
This year's Op: Ruck iT will feature several team prizes in addition to individual top fundraiser prizes. The top three individual fundraisers will receive prizes for their feats. This years prizes to the top 3 individual fundraisers will not disappoint! Past winners have walked away with brand new 55" tvs, Wine and Dine packages, Camping packages... you will certainly know your efforts are appreciated! GOOD LUCK!
Deadline for individual and team fundraising prizes is September 17, 2022 at step off (0800.. Or 8:00 am for you non military time folk). The individual $250 level #RuckinTough hoodie will be ordered and sent out after the event. So this perk will expire Oct 1, 2022 when all campaigns, including the MA22 master, expire.
Corporate Sponsorship Tiers
There are MANY ways to get your business, organization, club, etc. involved with Operation: Ruck iT '22! These items will fill up fast so please do not hesitate to contact us and let us know where your business or organization would like to support. Your tax deductible donation will help offset expenses to make Op: Ruck iT 2022 happen. We strive to promote your business any way we can, in the end your charitable donation helps us cut costs and apply funds where it's needed... to veterans.
Tier 1 ALPHA- $3,000 (4):
Thank you JCP&L and Hackensack Meridian Health for
returning and welcoming Walmart (Brick NJ) and CamoVets as our
2022 top tier sponsors!!
- Logo on Start/Finish Banner
- Logo on Ruck Merch (TBD)
- Large Logo on Commemorative T-Shirt
- Shout outs on radio/press interviews & Ma22 Social Media
Tier 2 Bravo- $500 (2)
Thank you Burger25 for returning and welcome Veteran Wood Co as our 2022 sleeve sponsor!
- Logo on Sleeve of Commemorative T-Shirt (2)
- Shout outs on radio/press interviews & Ma22 Social Media
Tier 3 Charlie- $250 (20)
- Logo on Commemorative T-Shirt
- Shout outs on Ma22 Social Media
Tier 4 Delta- $125 (12)
- Text on Commemorative T-Shirt
- Shout outs on Ma22 Social Media
Well that’s all we have for now. New announcements will be shared here on Fundrazr and on the event page on Facebook. Build your teams and get to it! Leeeeeet's get ready to RUCK iT!
