Thursday, American honored the men and women who’ve served in the Armed Forces, and the Downtown Vidalia Association, City of Vidalia and the JROTC hosted its annual Veteran’s Day Luncheon at the Vidalia Community Center. Musical entertainment was presented by the Vidalia High School Soundtribe Band and the Show Choir.

But while that event was going on, Brent Kennedy, Armando Morales and Guillermo Santiago were actively trekking several miles back and forth from Vidalia to Lyons to bring attention and awareness to a reality of military service.

“We’re walking 22 miles in reference to the 22 veterans who take their lives everyday to suicide,” Kennedy said. “The problem is huge, and we want to bring awareness to the saying ’22 is Too Many.’”

Kennedy added, “They go off and do their service, and often they come back and seem to be forgotten. We want them to know they are not forgotten, and we are here to help them; they have us to lean on.”

He adds that any veterans or family member who needs to get in contact with him may do so via Facebook or they can log onto www.stopsoldiersuicide.org and follow the link to resources to get help. A counselor is available in Baxley and can be reached through Kennedy.