On July 22, 2023, I witnessed a great sense of community in Fayetteville, N.C. Rick Murillo is also known as Ranger Rick, a Legionnaire and CEO/founder of Through Tragedy Comes Light., an organization that focuses on suicide prevention and awareness and the families after a veteran loses their internal battle to the deeper demons. Ranger Rick started this event eight years ago with just 55 runners, and this year there were over 6,000 in attendance at the event. Through his dedication, honor and hard work, the event has become something that involves the entire community. from the mayor to local minor-league sporting teams coming together to raise awareness for the mission: suicide awareness.

Over 340 lives were honored on July 22. In a field next to the stage, their pictures were placed in rows where families could come and see their hero. There were Gold Star Families that came from all over the United States. As I walked through the pictures and names of the warriors, the dragonflies landed on them and danced in the air. Ranger Rick said, "A man dies twice... once is his physical death and the second time is when his name is no longer spoken."

When the event kicked off, or should I say jumped in, there was the four-man team from the All Veteran Group, parachuting into the field with 22-a-day flag, Through Tragedy Comes Light flag and two sponsor flags. There was a moment when Ranger Rick looked up and later said, "To watch things unfold from above was amazing; the sky was beautiful, a feeling as if our angels were looking down and saying thank you. At this moment my flag was coming in bearing the words Honor, Respect and Remember...We must never forget."

There were so many times when I would stop and talk to a family about the picture around their neck and what it meant to them: "Never forget them." "We must do better with our warriors' mental health issues." "If we as family members aren't educated about the struggles our heroes go through, how can we help them prevent suicide?"

The Man 22 Suicide Awareness Run and event embodies the spirit of our American Legion's Be the One initiative. Each day, we lose too many. Families are cut short of lives of loved ones and we as Legionnaires can make a change - we need to be the ones to help bring in the change. This event did that for the community of Fayetteville July 22, 2023, will always be known as Suicide Awareness Day in the city of Fayettevillebecause of people like Ranger Rick Murillo and his heart to honor the life of his best friend.