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No More 22 Ride, Intervene Challenge, and 2.2 Mile Walk
August 27, 2021 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm EDT
About this event
Motorcycle Ride from Birmingham AL, along Interstate 22, to Tupelo MS
All rider’s must show current proof of insurance. By purchasing tickets for the No More 22 Ride, each rider assumes all responsibility.
This is a kick-off event to bring awareness to OUR 22 Veterans who succumb to their unseen wounds every day. We want to make a statement, and enter Suicide Awareness Month with momentum to Save Lives!
It Takes Us All, To Save Them All
Friday night registration and social at American Legion Post 107, 8299 Railroad Ave NE, Leeds Alabama.
Lodging available for Friday 27 August at Home 2 Suites, Fultondale AL. Booking link for discounted rate, copy and paste to browser:
http://group.home2suites.com/pn3be
*Reservation link good until 27 July only.
The ride will depart the Pilot Travel Center, 224 Daniel Payne Dr, Birmingham AL and follow 1-22 West to the Vietnam Memorial Replica Wall at the Veterans Memorial Park in Tupelo MS. Efforts are underway to bring a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument (GSFMM) to the park in honor of the families who have lost a loved one while serving the country.
Drawings for door prizes and a 50/50 pot. Lunch will be provided in Tupelo, location TBD.
Lodging available for Saturday 28 August at the Hilton Garden Inn Tupelo. Booking link for discounted rate, copy and paste to browser:
*Reservation link good until 27 July only.
Sunday Morning, Dr Lou Koon will conduct a Suicide Intervention Challenge at the BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center. This event will provide participants with the resources and skills to intervene and save the lives of our military, veterans, and the community-at-large.
In the US, more than one million individuals will be hospitalized for attempted suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens, and Veterans represent a disproportional 1 in 6 individuals that succumb to suicide. The reduction of suicide is a major health challenge. The Intervene Challenge is leading the charge in turning the tide on suicide through the training of ordinary individuals to make an extraordinary difference for those at risk. From high school basketball coaches to Army Generals – more than 20,000 individuals from all walks of life have taken the Challenge to gain the skills that save lives. Lt General Hugh Smith participated in the Challenge and promptly followed up by having members of the 101st Airborne participate. Col. Akshai Gandhi, Commander of the 169th Fighter Wing said, “The Air Force tells us to do something about suicide. The Intervene Challenge shows us how.”
The driving force in the Intervene Challenge is the core curriculum called Listen Learn Lead (L3). L3 was developed by Chaplain (LTC) Kenneth Lou Koon who has used the L3 principles in conducting more than 1,400 successful suicide interventions in both military and civilian communities. School Superintendent Michael Duncan said, “Listen Learn Lead and the Intervene Challenge is the most impactful professional learning I have encountered in my 25-year career. I left the training a different person, equipped with the skills to save a life. I recommend this training, to everyone.”
Chaplain Lou will be the instructor for the training. He is a graduate of the University of North Georgia and commissioned into the USAR in 1991. He has served in various positions within the 80th Training Command and most recently with the 359th Signal at Ft Gordon. He holds an M.Div in Education and Doctorate in Counseling and serves as the President of Armed Forces Mission, an organization with one mission – the reduction of suicide. Clients he has served include USAR, USAF, Homeland Security, Federal Probations Office, Georgia Chiefs of Police, hundreds of law enforcement agencies, universities, hospitals and faith groups nationwide.
Immediately following the Intervene Challenge, we will conclude the event with a 2.2 Mile Suicide Awareness Walk around downtown Tupelo, hosted by Walk For Vets. There is no fee to walk, all are welcome to participate.
Proceeds from this weekend will go to Armed Forces Mission INC., Walk For Vets, Ride For 22, and the Tupelo GSFMM Project.
