That grim statistic is what drove Ryan Weldon to give up a job in broadcasting, sell all his possessions and start on a walking trip across America.
The 34-year-old Marine Corps, vet started his walk in Delaware and stopped in Henryetta Saturday and Sunday. From here, he will be heading to McAlester, Dallas and Houston. Eventually he plans to be in California but he has not set a date to get there. "If I can save a life, I can drop dead in the Pacific. My life will be fulfilled," he said.Weldon said he knows the ravages of PTSD. After serving in Iraq during his four year Marine service, he tried to cope with the depression, nightmares and anxiety. That led to a divorce, drug use and, "a real low spot in my life. It almost killed me."
It was Christmas Eve that he said he woke up with an uncontrollable urge to do something. A few days later he read a news report on veterans suicide and decided to take up that challenge. "I sold everything I had, even sold my car - my baby. I quit two jobs in video production and broadcast communication and made plans.
The Myrtle Beach, SC native started his walk on Valentine's Day and has been on the road ever since. "I have no clue what's around the corner. The reception I have had has been overwhelming."
Along the way he has had some nerve-racking times, one coming when he was entering into St. Louis. While pushing his three-wheeled cart containing all his fear and carrying an American flag, he encountered a man in one of the rougher neighborhoods. "I talked with him and he said he couldn't believe that I was walking across America. He pulled out a wad of money and hands me a $20." Weldon said that encounter opened his eyes to not judging a person by their first appearance. "I'm thinking this is a drug dealer but he wants to help."
He stopped off in Henryetta after braving the 110-degree heat index walking along US 75. During his trek from Okmulgee, a couple of county sheriff's deputies stopped him and wanted to talk. That was similar to several visits with law enforcement along his trip. "They said they were supporting me."The journey has also fueled his belief in God. "I am deeper in my faith now because of this journey. People shouldn't be afraid to share that they are Christians. Especially now. He is trying to unite us as Americans."
A recent study of veterans affected by PTSD indicated some 11 to 20 out of every 100 veterans in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom suffer from it. There are some 12 percent of the Desert Storm veterans affected and around 15 percent of Vietnam veterans reported it.
Those numbers are misleading says Weldon. He pointed out a lot of veterans try to hold it inside with the believe that, "I'm OK. I can handle it."
Too often those veterans can't handle that stress with devastating and tragic results.
To help battle that, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a new crisis line and website with a number of ways for those contemplating suicide to reach out.
Weldon has a Facebook page about his journey: https://www.facebook.com/5000MilesDiscoveringAmericasHeroes?fref=ts