×

Things they carried: 100 march in Justin Fitch Memorial Ruck

HOUGHTON — A record crowd donned heavy loads Saturday in the hopes of lightening other people’s.

An estimated crowd of 100 carried packs for the third annual Justin Fitch Memorial Ruck. The event honors the late Maj. Justin Fitch, a 2005 Michigan Technological University graduate and U.S. Army veteran. He served in Iraq in infantry and personnel. Post-traumatic stress almost led him to attempt suicide.

“He came back, snapped out of it, and was like, ‘No, this is not me,'” said Grant Beatus, founder of the march. “Ever since that night, he recognized the pain that veterans go through. He made it his life goal to try to relieve that pain.”

The packs, typically 40 to 60 pounds, symbolize the mental burden of post-traumatic stress.

In 2013, Fitch began marching across the country for the veterans non-profit Active Heroes as part of its Carry the Fallen hikes. The event is aimed at reducing veteran suicide and building support.

Diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in 2012, Fitch persevered.

“Even until his death, he was out there,” Beatus said. “If he couldn’t march, he was helping and talking to people.”

The president of Tech’s chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Beatus heard Finch at the fraternity’s 50th anniversary reunion three years ago, shortly before Fitch’s death.

“His speech was just so inspirational,” he said. “As soon as I heard he died, I was like, ‘I’ve got to do something to continue that legacy.'”

The 4-mile hike took walkers to Tech’s Facilities Department and back to the Kestner Waterfront Park. Saturday’s crowd was about twice the normal amount, he said. A large part of that was due to Tech’s ROTC, which is normally out of town training at that time.

Word is also getting out more to the public, Beatus said.

Lisa Strutz, an ROTC alumni from Columbia, Maryland, had been to four Carry the Fallen events counting Saturday’s.

“My daughter’s here with ROTC Kids now, and I just thought now would be a good time to come and support this event again,” she said. “Any veteran that commits suicide is a tragedy, and anything we can do to support them and their families is what we should be doing,”

Later Saturday afternoon, Tech’s Army Reserve Officer Training Corps dedicated a park bench to Fitch. He was also inducted into the Army Cadet Command Hall of Fame.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today