THE SHOALS– The United States Department of Veterans Affairs says an average of 22 veterans commit suicide every day. With that said, Cody Bragwell and Caleb Thompson organized Operation 22, a 22-mile walk that took place Saturday, March 10, 2018. The goal for Bragwell and Thompson was to raise awareness of the problem and raise money along the way.
Bragwell served in the United States Marine Corps, and Thompson is a veteran of the Army National Guard. The two men were alarmed by the high number of veteran suicides. With 22 veterans taking their lives each day, that’s a suicide every 65 minutes.
The walk made a water break in Littleville where they were met Mayor Scott Howard and Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow. The group stopped at the Masonic Lodge where they were given drinks and snacks and rested before continuing to Tuscumbia.
Proceeds from the walk, its sponsorships and t-shirt sales will go to www.militaryveteranproject.org. The non-profit organization supports research and alternative treatments for military suicide prevention.
The walk will started in Russellville at Southside Baptist Church on Highway 43 South. Participants walked the 22-mile route that ended at the Natchez Trace Harley-Davidson, 595 U.S. Highway 72 West in Tuscumbia. The day was rainy but the walk was a success.
Representative Johnny Mack Morrow loaned the group one of his military vehicles and he introduced a resolution to recognize the efforts of everyone involved in the walk.
For more information, follow Operation 22 on Facebook, or contact Bragwell at 256-460-1793 or Thompson at 256-668-9475.
House Joint Resolution HJR171:
- HJR171
- 191429-5
- By Representative Morrow
- RFD: Rules
- First Read: 13-FEB-18 ENROLLED, House Joint Resolution,
RECOGNIZING CODY BRAGWELL AND CALEB THOMPSON ON
THEIR MAGNANIMOUS EFFORTS IN ORGANIZING OPERATION 22, A 5 22-MILE WALK TO RAISE AWARENESS OF SUICIDE AMONG MILITARY
VETERANS AND ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS.
- WHEREAS, highest commendations are herein proudly
- presented to Cody Bragwell and Caleb Thompson on their
- magnanimous efforts in organizing Operation 22, a 22-mile walk
- to raise awareness of the high rates of suicide among military
- veterans and active service members on March 10, 2018; and
- WHEREAS, current statistics reveal that as many as
- 22 veterans commit suicide per day in the United States; this
- sobering fact highlights the necessity of offering counseling 16 services to veterans; invaluable members of our community and
- workforce, veterans are equipped with remarkable
- problem-solving skills and offer a unique worldview as a
- result of their military service; in demonstrating our immense
- appreciation for their sacrifices, we need to remind veterans
- of how valuable they are and that they will not face any
- personal battles alone; and
- WHEREAS, the brainchild of Cody Bragwell and Caleb
- Thompson, Operation 22 will begin at Southside Baptist Church
- in Russellville, Alabama, and conclude with a charity motorcycle show and a barbeque feast at Natchez Trace Harley Davidson in Tuscumbia, Alabama; our good friend and colleague,
Representative Johnny Mack Morrow, will follow participants in 4 his military truck; and
- WHEREAS, Cody Bragwell served on active duty with
- the United States Marine Corps from 2008 until 2013; stationed
- at 1st Radio Battalion, he served in the Signals Intelligence
- field and deployed to Helmand Province Afghanistan in 2010 as
- a Ground Signals Intelligence Operator and machine gunner for
- his team, where he supported the 1st and 3rd LAR and 3rd
- Reconnaissance Battalion out of Mobile, Alabama; he also
- served as Signals Intelligence Support team leader in the
- Sangin area supporting 1/7, 3/7 and operation Branding Iron,
- completing his service in May 2013; currently, he resides in
- Russellville with his wife, Jennifer Ikerd Bragwell, and their
- seven-year-old son, Porter Grant Ikerd Bragwell; and
- one-year-old daughter, Evelyn Nance Bragwell; and
- WHEREAS, fellow organizer Caleb Thompson served as a
- Military Policeman in the Alabama National Guard from 2009
- until 2017 and administered protection and security duties in
- Qatar from 2012 until 2013 and Garrison MP duties in Germany
- in 2015; currently, he resides in Phil Campbell, Alabama, with
- his wife, Jessica Young Thompson and their five-year-old,
- Renzie Jade Thompson; and two-year-old, Remi Jo Thompson; and WHEREAS, the great State of Alabama is indebted to Cody Bragwell and Caleb Thompson’s unwavering commitment to excellence in defending freedom and democracy and serving as
- advocates for military veterans and active service members; it
- is a tremendous privilege to recognize Cody Bragwell and Caleb
- Thompson and their event, Operation 22; now therefore,
- BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
- HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Cody Bragwell and Caleb
- Thompson are highly honored and commended on their laudable
- efforts in organizing Operation 22 and advocacy for veterans
- and active military service members, and this resolution is
- offered to them in highest tribute, as well as with sincere 13 best wishes, for continued success in all future endeavors.
