Ryan Brazel
Chairman/Founder
Ryan@warriorswalk-il.org
Ryan is twenty-two year Veteran of the United States Navy, Retired. Ryan served in both active duty as well as reserves. Ryan deployed five times to the Middle East to include small boat operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf, Iraq, and Oman.
Ryan obtained a B.A. from North Central College in Naperville, IL. Ryan has served as a Law Enforcement Officer with a South Chicago Suburb Police Department for over eight years. Ryan is also an active member of the New Lenox VFW Post 9545 where Ryan served as a House Committee Member for three years.
Laura Duncan
Volunteer Coordinator
Laura@warriorswalk-il.org
Laura is a longtime resident and volunteer in New Lenox. She has many family members who proudly have served in the military, to include her eldest son in the Army. Laura has walked two ten mile Rucks for the Warriors Walk in 2021 & 2023.
Laura’s volunteer dedication and commitments span over twenty years which include: coaching for TBall & Soccer, being a Girl Scouts Leader for eight years, Room and Team Mom for numerous classrooms, sports, and Orchestra for her three children.
Laura has been a Medical Biller for twenty years, recently making the switch to becoming the Assistant to the Director of Finance at Superior Towing, New Lenox, IL. Laura obtained her BA Kendall College, Chicago, IL
Jessica Meder
Banquet Dinner Coordinator
Jessica@warriorswalk-il.org
Jessica is a Veteran of the United States Navy. She is a Supervisor with the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Memorial Product Services (MPS). Jessica has experience of developing nationwide standard operating procedures (SOP) for the National Cemetery Administration, MPS. Jessica is also credited with developing the operating procedures for pre-World War II markers and headstones. Jessica is the Assistant Service Officer with the New Lenox America Legion Post #1977.
Aniesa Salazar
Ruck March Coordinator
Aniesa has been a member of the United States Navy Reserves since 2016. Her father also has served in the military since 1992, first in the Marine Corps before switching to the Army reserves. Aniesa’s late uncle served in the Navy for ten years as well.
Aniesa is also a Military Administrator School Cerrifying Officer at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. She works with Veterans and their families to ensure they receive the college benefits they’ve earned through their military service in order to reach their aspirations for Culinary success.
Aniesa has participated in both the ten and twenty mile rucks for the Warriors Walk since 2021.
Paula Martinez-Graser
Patriot Party Coordinator
Paula is a Veteran of the United States Army and is also the granddaughter of a World War II Army Veteran. She served active duty from 1993 to 1996 and was a reservist from 1996 to 2005. During Paula’s time of service in the Army she was attached to a Patriot Missile Crew Battalion in Germany, which was the first combat MOS open to females. Paula served a six month rotation to Saudi Arabia in 1995.
While in the Army Reserves, Paula served as a Military Police Officer and was promoted to the rank of Sgt while in Guatemala. Paula’s unit was also a part of the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003; Paula served as a paramedic while at home. Currently, Paula is a Nurse in the south suburbs, a Mary Kay Consultant, and is also the Quartermaster for the Mokena VFW Post 725. She is also Mokena VFW’s first female Veteran to serve as an Officer.
Scott Meder
Event Services
info@warriorswalk-il.org
Scott is a Veteran of United Stated Navy and member of the New Lenox American Legion. During his time of service, Scott served under the Marine Corps Security Forces as a Navy Master-At-Arms. Scott has nineteen years experience in law enforcement which has included military, federal, and local law enforcement. Scott currently serves as a Detective in the south suburbs of Chicago and is also apart of a major crimes homicide task force.
Why We Do it
Ryan first came to know the idea “Ruck Marches” throughout his enlistment while being stationed in different areas of the country. Grassroots movements were occurring around major cities with Veterans and supporters uniting in a ruck march to raise awareness of Veteran suicide. As Ryan continued his enlistment, the toll of the ongoing wars began to weigh heavily on those Ryan served with including himself. Ryan realized that the war wasn’t just being fought overseas but within every Soldier, Marine, Airman, and Sailor here at home.
The statistic of “twenty-two a day” was present and prevalent everywhere Ryan turned as those he knew joined the statistic. Ryan realized that it was time for action. Starting in 2019, Ryan painstakingly garnered donors who believed in his cause and raised almost two thousand dollars to donate to an organization of his choosing. In November 2019 Ryan rucked out and began his twenty mile “walk for the warriors” on Old Plank Road Trail, a bike trail near his house.
That first year not only gained the attention of local residents and the VFW but landed Ryan in a local New Lenox The Patriot article. Ryan announced that all the proceeds raised that year were being donated to the HeadStrong Project.
Since 2022, Ryan started a yearly design contest with the Lincoln-Way West Highschool digital arts department for that year’s Warriors Walk T-Shirt and Flyer. Ryan awards the two winning students every year with a scholarship and a final print of their designs. We are proud to say that the program has grown to school district wide. Since the Warriors Walk inception, Ryan has gained the support of surrounding VFW’s, American Legions, numerous businesses, park districts, and municipalities. As of 2024, the Warriors Walk is on track to of raised 100k over the life of the program. It is our sincere commitment to continue to support and raise awareness for programs that combat Veteran suicide.
About The Warriors Walk
Our Vision
At Warriors Walk, our vision is to create a community where Veteran’s mental health is a top priority and individuals can access the resources they need to achieve optimal well-being that supplements services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. By supporting organizations such as the Headstrong Project, which helps directly offset the cost of mental health services for Veterans, we hope that the stigma of “22 Too Many” will be no longer.
Our Approach
We take a holistic approach to gathering a coalition of youth, businesses, Veteran organizations, and local communities to raise awareness and monetary funds in order to financially support organizations that directly support Veteran’s mental well-beings. We essentially are the “boots on the ground” so organizations like the HeadStrong Project can focus on their missions .
How it Works
Over the years, we have gone from a one man operation to a collective group of Veterans and supporters who work tirelessly to make the Warriors Walk a permanent staple. The Warriors Walk is directly supported by the New Lenox Harry E. Anderson VFW Post #9545. All monies raised go through VFW’s Post #9545 Treasure and operates under their 501(c)(19) tax status.
Warriors Walk is working towards incorporating as a Not-For-Profit Corporation in Illinois along with it’s own 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. In the mean time every last donor and sponsor can rest assured that every dollar is being overseen by an already well established organization.
