Army Veterans Walk 22 Miles To Honor Fallen Veterans

A U.S. Army veteran who currently works as a Burlington Police officer honored fallen soldiers by walking 22 miles in the "Memorial Ruck March" on Veterans Day (November 11).

Jake DeSantis walked from Tewksbury to Boston in an effort to raise money for the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Foundation, Boston 25 News reports.

Second Lt. Joe Morgan also participated in the "Memorial Ruck March," walking 22 miles in Georgia, where he is currently stationed. Together, the two veterans walked a combined 22 miles, 7.5 miles more than their original goal.

“Joe and I will be increasing our mileage to 22 miles in total in honor of the 22 veterans on average a day that take their own life,” DeSantis wrote on the fundraiser’s GoFundMe page.

DeSantis began his 22-mile walk at the Tewksbury Police Department and finished at the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston.

“I’ve always tried to do something for Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day to commemorate our veterans," DeSantis told Boston 25 News.

DeSantis said he participated in the "Memorial Ruck March" in tribute of his friends and fellow veterans, Chris and Andrea, who were killed while serving their country.

“I just wanted to show my support for them and everything they did for me throughout my career," DeSantis said.

DeSantis and Morgan's GoFundMe raised $13,278, far exceeding its initial goal of $500.