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American Legion Post 114 in South Dakota stages fourth annual suicide prevention walk.

His uncle’s service in both the U.S. Army and Navy is a big reason why South Dakota Legionnaire Philip Egeberg joined the military.

The same man is also why veteran suicide prevention has become a passion for Egeberg. And that’s why Egeberg has been involved from the start with Burrows-Young American Legion Post 114’s annual “2.2 for Heroes” suicide prevention walk since its inception in 2022 as part of National Suicide Prevention Month.

“He was my favorite uncle. He and I had the same tattoo, actually,” said Egeberg, Post 114’s adjutant and its past commander. “When I was growing up, he would tell me and my cousin about all my other uncles that served, where they served and what he did. He was a big reason why both my cousin and I ended up joining the service.

“He struggled with mental health his whole life. He took his own life, but he attempted it several times over the years. So I know it’s important to get the right help.”

The most recent walk took place at 10 a.m. on Sept. 13 and drew around 120 American Legion Family members and others. Participants were charged $22 and could either run, walk, bicycle or ride via golf cart 2.2 miles. Money raised this year will be donated to four South Dakota nonprofits that assist veterans: Warriors Never Give Up, Wings of Valor Lodge, South Dakota Service Dogs, and Reclamation Ranch.

The post has established a committee to organize and promote the event that this year consisted of Egeberg, Post Commander Joel Doyscher, Vice Commander Roger Anderson, Finance Officer Joana Sykora Loy, Sergeant-at-Arms Gary Olson and Post Newsletter Editor Kim Chase.

Egeberg said after seeing the reaction to the first walk in 2022, it was clear it needed to be an annual event. “I didn’t ever think we’d stop doing it after (the first walk),” he said. “The energy you feel at those events is just phenomenal. People come there … who have lost someone from suicide. Everybody has a passion for what they’re doing and feel like they’re a part of something good. And we enjoy putting it on.

“It’s a solemn event, but it’s also a good event. People are there and they’re participating and visiting and knowing they’re doing something for a purpose and for an impact. And that’s the key: You’ve got to have the impact.”

And that impact reaches beyond Post 114. American Legion Family members from American Legion Post 200 in Bruce, Post 88 in White and Richard L. Porter Post 63 in Lake Preston also took part in the walk, as did District 5 Commander Arlo Jurrens. And the walk included members of the Sioux Valley High School football team who had finished their previous night’s game around 12 hours before the walk.

“We have a great relationship with our high school. We carry the colors for their football games,” Egeberg said. “It felt really good to see all of those white jerseys out there the morning after a game.”

Egeberg said staging walks such as Post 114’s are a vehicle to sharing 51�Թ�’s veteran suicide prevention mission.

“I’m proud to support the Be The One campaign because it turns awareness into action: giving every Legion member a role and tools to aid in preventing veteran suicide,” he said. “It’s not just about saving lives; it’s about restoring purpose, connection and hope in our communities.

“There could be no greater mission than saving a life and preventing the grief and suffering of their loved ones when a life has been taken due to death by suicide.”