Clad in short green shorts and tall tan combat boots, more than 100 military veterans hiked through the streets of Tampa, carrying American flags.
The veterans were on a Silkies Hike – named for the short shorts made infamous by the U.S. Marines.
“There’s nothing better than watching a hundred plus men and women in silkies,” said Terri Lynn Sugar-Robertson. She’s part of Irreverent Warriors, an organization that supports veterans and organizes these hikes across the nation.
Though eye-catching, their hike has a very serious purpose.
"We are losing 22 right now, a day, to suicide,” said Sugar-Robertson. “And actually the reports have gone up to 35.”
Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day. It’s a fact too well known to veterans like Marvin Ayala.
“Since I’ve been out, I’ve known of four suicides that were from my unit, from my second deployment,” said Ayala. “I’ve had nine friends commit suicide since I’ve been on active duty and left the service. Last year, one of my old roommates committed suicide.”
Ayala spent 14 years with the US Army Infantry. He spent three tours in Iraq.
“I’ve lived every day, every day with struggles from my PTS,” he said. “I don’t like calling it PTSD because I don’t have a disorder. I’ve just been stressed out. And 38 months of combat will affect any man or woman.”
When Ayala left the service, he found comfort healing others. He became a massage therapist. He’s currently going to school to become a physical therapy assistant.
“Me healing other people really heals me,” he said.
That’s what Ayala did Saturday. He walked at the front of the group, encouraging others.
“I know for a fact they’ve saved lives,” he said. “They’ve saved my life.”
For more information about Irreverent Warriors or Silkies Hikes, go to www.irreverentwarriors.com.