A motorcycle club whose members walk 22 miles on the 22nd of every month to raise awareness of veteran and first-responder suicide has persuaded the Rockwall, Texas, City Council to rename a bridge in that city “Heroes Bridge.”
Third Watch Law Enforcement (LE) Motorcycle Club (MC) President Brian Wilburn went before the Rockwall City Council on July 20 to talk about Walk the Bridge, a movement to promote awareness of veteran and first responder suicides. The club’s members have been walking the bridge every month since October 2018.
Wilburn is also the director of Veterans Operations for Life Message’s Veterans Resource and Outreach Center in Rowlett.
The Rockwall council approved the resolution, signed by Sen. Bob Hall and State Rep. Rhetta Bowers, to name the bridge between Rockwall and Rowlett Heroes Bridge. This resolution will be brought before the Rowlett City Council for the same consideration.
Veterans’ suicide rates are an important issue. In 2015, Veterans represented 8.3 percent of U.S.’s adult population, but accounted for 14.3 percent of deaths by suicide of the total U.S. adult population, Men’s Health Network found. In 2015, the rate of suicide in Veterans was 2.1 times higher than U.S. civilian adults. A free MHN brochure on PTSD offers guidance for vets who may feel they need treatment.
Photo courtesy of Third Watch LE MC Facebook
