Marine on a mission, hiking 222 miles in 10 days
CANTON, Ga. - A US Marine who lives in Canton plans to hike roughly 22 miles a day for 10 days to raise awareness about the number of military veterans who commit suicide each day. Cpl Shane Stephens founded Georgia End 22. It's an organization to raise awareness and to let his military brothers and sisters who are struggling know that there is help.
Cpl. Stephens will be hiking from Camp Lejeune to Virginia Beach.
"I'm doing 22 miles a day for 10 days, that's 220, but I can throw in a little extra to make 222 miles in ten days," said Stephens.
Around his neck, he wears red, white, and blue ribbons with the names of military men and women who will be in his thoughts as he walks.
"These are almost 100 names of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that we have lost to their demons from PTSD," said Stephens.
Stephens is a blacksmith by trade. He said the horses, the outdoors, and hiking are his therapy.
In January, Stephens hiked 222 miles. He said he broke his leg 50 miles from the finish, but didn't let the pain overpower his mission.
"This is my one last mission, to go down range to save my brothers and sisters. I will not stop until we can stop these numbers from coming in," said Stephens.