Team Red, White and Blue has cooked up another fun way to give back to our veterans. After several years of holding a 12-hour challenge relay at Rancho Bernardo High School, Team RWB is taking the show on the road … literally.
On Saturday, September 24 there will be a “Ruck For Veterans” along the State Route 56 bike path. The Ruck starts at the intersection of Carmel Creek Rd. and Tang Dr. off the 56 and ends a few miles away at Westview High School.
The football teams from Rancho Bernardo, Westview, Mount Carmel, Torrey Pines and Ramona high schools will all be taking part.
“I think it’s important for them to understand there are bigger issues in the world, bigger events than themselves,” says RBHS Head Football Coach Tristan McCoy. “We try to get them out of their comfort zone to really serving others who spend their whole careers serving us.”
In the Ruck each hiker will have to carry a backpack filled with 30-40 pounds of supplies and the football players will be walking side-by-side with active and former military members.
“The fact that kids are now coming out and actually integrating with the military community and the veteran community and getting an understanding of our lives and what we’ve gone through and helping us out, that’s pretty awesome to see,” said Kyle Flatten, the Athletic Director for the San Diego Chapter of Team RWB. “You don’t really see this that often.”
Team RWB is focusing on hygiene kits that include shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wash cloths, lip balm, combs and brushes, along with blankets, socks, sweaters and beanies. Incidentally those are the types of items Team RWB is looking for, as well.
Team Red, White and Blue helps veterans returning from duty re-integrate and connect with their communities through physical and social activities. If you’d like to take part in Saturday’s Ruck it starts at 8:00 in the morning and ends around noon. To learn more about the program please visit www.teamrwb.org and find out how to help those who dedicate parts of their lives to serve us.
