Palo Alto, CA Local 1319 fire fighter and U.S. Marine combat veteran, John Preston, set out on the 706-mile journey from South Carolina to Ohio in November. Accompanied by his wife, Cory, a retired San Francisco fire fighter, and a small team, they embarked on the “22 and You” Suicide Awareness Walk, covering 22 miles a day for 32 days. The walk honors John’s late brother, a former Marine and police officer who tragically lost his life to suicide in 2016.
Carrying a 22-kilogram backpack containing his brother’s belongings, Preston said, “Every single physical, emotional, and mental hurdle existed. It was incredible. This journey was the most special thing I’ve ever done.”
The team faced unexpected challenges, including the hazards of narrow roads. “There were times in the Appalachians we were sprinting to avoid getting hit by cars because there was no shoulder or a ditch to fall into,” he said.
The symbolic weight of the backpack was shared among the team, and fellow fire fighters and veterans joined throughout the journey. In Newport, KY the police and fire chiefs carried it across the water to their counterparts in Cincinnati, OH. With each stride, a message of support resonated, transforming every step into a healing journey, even for Preston himself.
“Sometimes life isn’t easy. I didn’t heal until I hit my hometown in Kentucky and realized the kid in me never got over losing his big brother,” Preston admitted.
Even in tough times, Preston felt his brother by his side. “I know he was with me out there. I know that he’s proud.”
The journey stands as a testament to resilience; showing support and connection can help carry life’s heavy loads. Preston’s message for those struggling: “Don’t leave; your family will take everything that you were holding. People will show up to help you carry everything that you’ve been holding.”
You can find out more about “22 and You” here. To follow Preston’s journey or to find out how you can help, visit the link here.
To learn more about the IAFF’s resources on suicide awareness, visit the link here. For additional behavioral health resources, visit the link here.
