Musings: Steps taken in honor of those who served all
Suffolk County Leg. Chad Lennon, of Rocky Point, started a nearly 26-hour, 66-mile walk in Orient to raise awareness about veterans' suicides. The walk was completed Sept. 21 with the Suicide Awareness and Remembrance flag he carried raised on a pole at the finish line at Armed Forces Plaza in Hauppauge. Credit: Suffolk County Legislature/Mitchell Benjamin
On Sept. 21, Suffolk County Legis. Chad Lennon and several supporters completed a nearly 26-hour, 66-mile walk. The walk, to raise awareness about veterans’ suicides, began at the Orient Point firehouse and ended at the Armed Forces Plaza in Hauppauge.
Lennon, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve, sought to highlight that not all wounds suffered by military personnel are visible. It is important to honor those who have served, those currently serving, and to remember those who passed while struggling with mental health issues.
Bravo to everyone who completed the full 66 miles. I showed my support by walking 25 miles. As a member of the armed forces, I served alongside a diverse group of men and women who shared the common commitment to honor their oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. This walk was a way for me to continue supporting that oath and to show solidarity with those in need.
Moreover, it was a unifying moment, demonstrating that people genuinely care about struggling veterans. Everyone who provided support along the route deserves our thanks. It was an honor to walk with those willing to sacrifice their time and endure pain for individuals who have already sacrificed so much to defend our fragile freedoms and liberty.
— Pete Scott, Centerport
WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN OUR DAILY CONVERSATION. Just go to newsday.com/submitaletter and follow the prompts. Or email your opinion to letters@newsday.com. Submissions should be no more than 200 words. Please provide your full name, hometown, phone number and any relevant expertise or affiliation. Include the headline and date of the article you are responding to. Letters become the property of Newsday and are edited for all media. Due to volume, readers are limited to one letter in print every 45 days. Published letters reflect the ratio received on each topic.
