Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck

Carry the Weight: Ruck Together to Combat Veteran Suicide.

Join us as Dinosaur Valley State Park hosts the 2nd Annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck on September 22, 2024. This event aims to connect community partners with our veteran community, particularly focusing on reaching under-served veteran populations. Entry to the park will be free on this day in honor of the event. Step off for Ruck will begin at 10am; please plan to be here earlier to allow time for parking.

This year, we are honoring the memory of a local Marine, Ethan Sullivan, who became a victim of suicide on April 6, 2024. Ethan served our country honorably and his tragic loss has deeply affected our community. By coming together for this event, we aim to raise awareness about veteran suicide and provide support to prevent further tragedies like Ethan’s.

Cost: Entry fees will be waived for Ruck participants. We anticipate heavy attendance so please carpool if able as parking will be limited. Also, we recommend arriving early to allow time to obtain your vehicle permit from Headquarters, find a parking space, grab your belongings, and head over to the event activities. 

There will be three hike options -

• Accessible Trail - 2-mile hike on mostly flat terrain. *GRIT Freedom Chairs are available for those with limited mobility, please anna.kohout@tpwd.texas.gov to reserve one.*
• Moderate Trail - 3-mile hike with some elevation gain on mixed terrain. Prepare to get your feet wet crossing the river
• Difficult Trail - 7 mile hike with elevation gain crossing a variety of rough terrain. Prepare to get your feet wet crossing the river.

Event Schedule:

• 9AM - Yoga in the Park with Yoga 4 All Kinds @ Amphitheater
• 9:30AM - Guest Speaker (Senator Brian Birdwell) @ East Trailhead
• 10AM - Step Off for Ruck @ East Trailhead
• 11AM - Art in the Park @ Dino Models

*Please keep an eye on this event page or the Dinosaur Valley State Park Facebook page for more information and the events schedule. *

For more information, please contact candice.bullard@tpwd.texas.gov