PTSD Awareness: United States Marine Corps Veteran to Run 300 Miles

GoFundMe: 300 Miles Because He’s My Brother

“Even in times of trauma, we try to maintain a sense of normality until we no longer can. That, my friends, is called surviving. Not healing. We never become whole again… we are survivors. If you are here today… you are a survivor. But those of us who have made it through hell and are still standing? We bare a different name: WARRIORS.” – Lori Goodwin

My name is Kyle Killinger and I am a warrior. I am a proud United States Marine Corps Veteran born and raised in Columbus, Indiana.

I come from a long line of great men who served our country in the military. My grandfather served in the Air Force and my uncles fought in World War 2 and in Vietnam. I chose the United States Marine Corps, following in the footsteps of my closest friend, a man whom I admire and respect.

In my lifetime I have seen many things, but few compare to the tragedy of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) I am grateful that I do not suffer from PTSD but I am painfully aware of how much PTSD encumbers the lives of those who suffer from it. PTSD is not a tragedy of singularity. It eats away at once strong souls and affects family, friends, and those simply reaching out to help. I wish I could say that PTSD was a minor issue. Unfortunately, the number of individuals suffering from PTSD is much larger than you might think. It is very likely that you have encountered someone in your life who is at this very moment suffering in silence. Each beautiful soul battling PTSD has their own story and demons.

What is most important to understand, and what I am trying to bring awareness to, is the fact that many individuals suffering from PTSD may see no other alternative to ending the pain of PTSD by taking their own life. Every single day 22 American Veterans commit suicide and most of society is completely unaware.

This is staggering and completely unacceptable. These men and women are real American heroes. They have served our country, leaving family and friends behind, fought, bled, and cried, and all for the sake of the rest of us, so that we may all live free. The men and women who have fulfilled their duty and thankfully returned home, they need our help. PTSD cannot be ignored. They fought for us, we must fight for them!

You cannot patch a wounded soul with a band-aid. I am choosing to do something to help change the statistics. I am choosing to fight for those who have so selflessly done so for me, and for everyone in this beautiful country.

In order to battle and change this statistic, to raise awareness for all who suffer from PTSD, and to combat the ever-growing suicide rate

I WILL BE RUNNING 300 MILES

During my run, I plan to document my journey via videos, posts, and pictures taken along my route and uploading them to Facebook and Instagram. I plan to visit with Veterans and their families to help share their stories of hope and strength, and to dig deeper into what it means to live with PTSD.

By raising awareness and talking about PTSD, we have the opportunity to show Veterans our support and let them know that they are not alone. I hope to have these conversations about what we can do today to make sure they are here tomorrow.

I need your help in saving the lives of our local, national and military heroes. Together we can change that number from 22 a day to zero.

Please consider donating to help support me in this cause. A small portion of donations will fund costs incurred during the run. All other proceeds will be donated directly to Save22 Veterans and 22 2 NONE charities. Any and all donations help. My goal is to raise $15,000 to give to these worthy organizations.

I plan to begin my journey in Huntsville Alabama from the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial on July 3, 2018, and complete my five day 300 mile run in my hometown of Columbus, Indiana.

A 5k event is planned, on July 7, 2018, at Columbus East High School to commemorate the successful completion of my run.

Donations can be made via Gofundme.com/300milesbrother or checks made out to 300 Miles Because He’s My Brother (300 MBHMB).