Student veterans to participate in Operation Iron Ruck, raise awareness for veteran suicide

Each fall during Thanksgiving break, Auburn University and the University of Alabama’s student veterans’ associations put down their rivalry and pick up a cause that is near and dear to each of our hearts.

Operation Iron Ruck, or OIR, seeks to reduce the suicide epidemic among the veteran population by means of a 151-mile awareness campaign. By bringing the issue of veteran suicide to the public, we seek to unite veterans with their community, fund charities championing veteran suicide prevention, and support local veterans’ organizations.

Operation Iron Ruck will start Nov. 23 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and participants will ruck march 151 miles to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Participants will carry a 22-pound rucksack to coincide with the Mission 22 suicide campaign. The packed ruck will consist of toiletries, undergarments, and other donated items collected by the Auburn Student Veterans Association and Alabama’s Campus Veterans Association. These items are carried by participants to the end of the 151-mile trek and will be donated to Three Hots and a Cot in Birmingham, Mission 22 and state Veterans Association homes throughout Alabama.

Participants will also pass around and carry an “Iron Bowl Game Ball” between stadiums. This year's OIR will continue the tradition of carrying dog tags containing the names of Alabama Veterans who have succumbed to suicide as a form of remembrance and memorialization.

The Auburn Family can click here to give or donate items in the list below. For more information, visit the QR code.  

Items needed for donation to veteran charities:

Coffee
Canned Tuna and chicken
Peanut Butter Crackers
Toothpaste/Toothbrush
Shampoo/Conditioner
Body wash
Non-alcoholic mouth wash
Underwear/ Panties
Towels/ washcloths
Assorted Pringles
Detergent
Kleenex lotion
Deodorant (men and women)
Assorted music CDs
Razors
Shaving cream
Socks
Paper towels/ toilet paper
Alabama & Auburn items
Gloves
Assorted board games
Playing cards
Body lotion
Feminine hygiene products
Undershirt/ bras
Duffle bags

Items needed for event participants

Baby wipes
Gatorade/ Powerade
Bottled water
Drink mix
Granola/ protein bars
Chips
Tarps
First aid supplies
Jerky
Various snacks
Foot powder
Moleskin
Gold bond
Antibacterial ointment
Band-aids, various sizes
Blister pads
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Hydrogen peroxide
Rubbing alcohol
Chem lights
Hot hands

Operation Iron Ruck is appreciative of the Auburn Family's support in allowing the organization to effectively give a hand up to veterans and to combat the pandemic facing the nation's warriors.