New Lenox, IL

The Warriors Walk

The Warriors Walk is a collaboration of multiple VFWs, American Legions, businesses, and schools in the Chicago area that have come together to support the mission to end veteran suicide. The Warriors Walk was incepted by our Founder Ryan Brazel in 2019 and has been directly supported by the Harry E Anderson VFW Post #9545. In its success, the Warriors Walk is growing at an exponential rate and is in the process of becoming an independent Not-For-Profit Corporation with a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status in Illinois. The Thomas E. Hartung American Legion Post #1977 has made the leap from a lead supporter to a managing partner for the Warriors Walk as we grow into our own entity. It will take an Army, but together we can work towards ending Veteran suicide.

Ruck March

The Walk is a free event which is a ruck march to help raise awareness for Veteran suicide prevention. A ruck march (walk) is a military term summed up as “a walk with a backpack”. The Warriors Walk provides the options of The Memorial Mile (1 mi), 5k (3.1mi), 5 mile, 10mile, or a 20 mile walk which starts at 9:00am on the second Saturday of every September in the New Lenox village commons (1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox IL). Each participant has the option to choose how far they would like to walk. The march heads east along Will County Forest Preserve’s Old Plank Road Trail towards Frankfort IL. The halfway point for each preselected distance will be marked along the trail for the turn-around and the marchers will finish back at the commons. Below is the link for Will County’s interactive map of Old Plank Road Trail.

Whats The Purpose?

All proceeds raised by The Warriors Walk through the means of fundraising, events, sponsorship, and partnerships goes directly to The Headstrong Project. Headstrong Project is a non-profit mental health organization providing confidential, barrier-free, and stigma-free PTSD treatment to our Veterans, Service Members, and family connected to their care. Headstrong’s trauma treatment program provides 30 cost-free sessions. For extended therapy, sessions include a client copay made to the therapist. Headstrong is committed to providing uninterrupted access to their mental healthcare services across all of their program markets. Having a critical mass of world-class clinical partners in each state, many of whom use telehealth, allows Headstrong to maximize access with availability while maintaining good therapist-client fit.

END VETERAN SUICIDE

Roughly every ninety minutes, a Veteran commits suicide. That equals a staggering 22 Veterans a day. In one year, more Veterans commit suicide then the total number killed in action during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars combined. Veteran suicide has long plagued the United States in its war on terror. It is estimated that in ten years of the US measuring suicide rates, the rates are comparable to those killed in action of the Vietnam War. The number of Veterans that returned with TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury), PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and other untreated diagnoses is too much for the service member to bear alone; they need help.

News and Happenings

Stay up to date!

Join Our Growing Facebook Community

Come check out and join our growing Facebook community to stay up to date on all current events and happenings. Be one of the first ones to learn about events, meeting schedules, merchandise sales, and more!

09.25.2024

From Client to Contributor

Read as The Headstrong Project highlights our Founder, Ryan Brazel’s, journey to creating one of the most impactful organizatons that has partnered with The Headstrong Project

09.13.2024

Fox News Interview

Our Founder Ryan Brazel goes live with Fox News!!

02.14.2024

The Impact of The Warriors Walk

Read how The Walk has facilitated over 500 trauma and mental health treatment sessions for veterans, service members, and their families.

09.09.2024

Warriors Walk on set of Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire star David Eigenberg shows his support for the Warriors Walk!

WILL YOU JOIN US ON THE WALK?

DAYS
HOURS
MINUTES
SECONDS

Upcomming Events

T-Shirt Sales $15.00

Every day at the Harry E. Anderson VFW Post #9545 (See bar for details)

Only Large, XL, 2X, & 3X Sizes Available

Contact info@warriorswalk-il.org with questions

pexels-photo-1114425-1114425.jpg

Friday September 12th, 2025 5:00pm-10:00pm

Thomas E Hartung American Legion Post #1977

14414 Ford Dr, New Lenox, IL 60451

Contact Jessica@warriorswalk-il.org with questions

**Free Registration**

Saturday September 13th, 2025 9:00AM (Check-In Starts 8:00am)

1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox IL 60451

Contact Aniesa@warriorswalk-il.org with questions

pexels-photo-1317374-1317374.jpg

Saturday September 13th, 2025 12:00PM

1 Veterans Parkway, New Lenox IL 60451

Contact Ryan@warriorswalk-il.org with questions

RED STAR SPONSORS

WHITE STAR SPONSORS

BLUE STAR SPONSORS

GOLD STAR SPONSORS