Photo: Shari Small / WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Veterans who served the United States were honored at Fenway Park on Saturday for the 13th annual Run To Home Base, which provides care to military families impacted by the invisible wounds of war.
Run To Home Base aims to provide support through Traumatic Brain Injury programs, intensive clinical programs for families who have lost their loved one due to service or suicide, and regional outpatient care, which serves Massachusetts veterans and their families via Telehealth.
According to the fundraiser's website, military suicides have increased 20 percent since the onset of the pandemic, with nearly 20 veterans losing their lives to suicide each day. The event from Raytheon Technologies offered 9K runs or 5K runs or walks through Boston, with the final strides ending over home case at Fenway.
Photo: Shari Small / WBZ NewsRadio
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WBZ's Shari Small spoke to some participants of the race, like army veteran Brandon Schingh of Sutton who pulled extra luggage in tow over the finish line.
"Seeing the travesties of war firsthand impacts all veterans no matter when or where you serve, I'm running in memory of my buddy who we unfortunately lost back in 2012, who this program would have directly impacted and possibly saved, so every year I dedicate it to him. I walk the 5K with a 70-pound rucksack on my back— it's a constant reminder of the burden veterans deal with, like PTSD, that we feel every single day," Schingh said.
Last month, Home Base published a video highlighting the hardships veterans can face after coming home.
WBZ's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
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