Soldiers walking across U.P. to raise awareness about veteran suicide

NEGAUNEE — Roughly 312 miles separates Ironwood and Sault Ste. Marie. Two National Guard Soldiers are in the midst of walking that distance to raise awareness about veteran suicide.

Lt. Cody Cass and Staff Sgt. Michael Beattie are on their fifth day walking across the Upper Peninsula. They left Ironwood Saturday and made their way through the cold, rain and windy weather in Negaunee Thursday afternoon.

The two soldiers are walking 22-miles a day for a purpose. Twenty-two veterans a day take their own life.

“It’s been different. The first few days were pretty sunny and nice weather. Then the last few days have been kind of wet and windy so we’ve kind of gotten a little taste of it all,” said Cass.

“We’ve heard a lot of people honking and thanking us. Knowing that the word is getting out is the main issue that we’re trying to push right now,” said Staff Sgt. Beattie.

Cass and Beattie plan to finish their trek to Sault Ste. Marie on May 27th.