Walking the flight line

Comfort dogs walk with guardsmen to promote suicide prevention among the military

It was a 2.2-mile walk. They walked together as a unit, pausing normal operations to connect with friends, family, even dogs, to walk straight down the military flight line at the General Mitchell Air National Guard Base in Milwaukee, WI. They walked for their fellow servicemen, for our nation’s heroes, and for the ones that came before them who struggled with mental health. About 22 veterans die by suicide every single day in our nation, and the 128th Air Refueling Wing was not going to forget that.
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Last Friday was the beginning of a regular drill weekend for the National Guard unit, but at the precise time, about 500 service members joined one another to walk in solidarity down the yellow and black line. Lutheran Church Charities K-9 Comfort Dogs Believe (Brookfield – Brookfield, WI) and Charity (Brookfield – Brookfield, WI) walked right beside them. The men and women wore red shirts that said, “In this family, no one walks alone!” and they carried yellow roses as they broke a sweat, marching through the sun across the air base. The Refuel Resilience Walk promotes suicide prevention and mental fitness, and was held alongside training and a resource fair.

Early Friday morning Believe and Charity joined the guard members at their base. But it was more than just showing up. The two K-9 Comfort Dogs and their handlers completed the 2.2-mile walk alongside the military personnel and their families. “We remembered that we are stronger together,” Charity posted on her Facebook page. “We were reminded to watch out for each other and to help each other if someone is struggling.” The dogs and their teams also wore RED (Remember Everyone Deployed) in honor of those in the 128th unit who are serving overseas.

Believe noted that she and her team were reminded that the men and women of the 128th show bravery, courage, and dedication each day. The day was bright and sunny; the teams, the service members, the friends and family, were all in good spirits. On the cement outside the hanger, cheerful messages were written in chalk. One message, in its bold colorful letters, stood out — now and for the future. Another message said, “We are stronger together.”

 “We know that no one walks alone, and we are honored to continue to walk alongside the 128th now and always,” Charity said.

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