TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) — A South Georgia Army veteran is using every mile walked to spark conversations about veteran mental health and suicide prevention.

Charles Wayne Hill Jr. recently completed a 50-mile rucksack challenge throughout the month of May to raise awareness for veteran suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder. Hill documented the journey daily on social media, encouraging the community to walk alongside him and support veterans battling mental health struggles.

What started as a personal mission quickly became a community effort.

Throughout the challenge, fellow veterans, friends, family members and local supporters joined Hill during walks across Tifton. In several social media posts, Hill thanked the people who showed up daily to walk beside him, saying their support helped him continue pushing through the physical and emotional pain.

“I took this challenge for myself and was going to do it alone, but these guys showed me they have my six,” Hill wrote in one post.

Hill also called on local law enforcement, National Guard members, reservists and community members to participate in the final miles of the challenge. He said seeing supporters line the sidewalks and hearing people honk as they passed meant a great deal to him.

Hill said the challenge was both physically and emotionally demanding.

In a social media post after completing the final miles, Hill shared that the experience “brought back memories from the military” and became overwhelming during the final day of the walk. Despite dealing with nerve damage in his feet and lower legs, along with neck issues from surgery, Hill continued carrying a 40-pound rucksack during the final stretch.

“My feet and lower legs feel as though they are being pierced by 20,000 needles,” Hill wrote. “Nevertheless, I would repeat the experience without hesitation.”

Throughout the challenge, Hill repeatedly called on the community to learn more about issues veterans face, including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, anxiety, depression and anger struggles.

“Daniel Lamb, Jonathan Mayberry and Devin Hayes have also completed the challenge with us every day. Jonathan and Daniel also served in the Army and are war veterans like myself.”

He also emphasized the importance of checking on veterans and making sure they do not face those battles alone.

“Let’s fight to save the veterans’ lives that are still here,” Hill wrote in one post. “Let’s show them that we care and we have their six.”

Hill also created a fundraiser supporting the organization “Stop Soldier Suicide,” which works to reduce veteran suicide rates through mental health and case management services.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran suicide remains a major national concern, with thousands of veterans dying by suicide each year.

Hill said he hopes the challenge encourages more people to research veteran mental health, support struggling service members and continue advocating long after the walk has ended.

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