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Proclamation thanking U.S. Army Veteran, Eli Smith, for his dedication and commitment to raising awareness for PTSD and veteran suicide.
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WHEREAS, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health problem that some individuals develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault. PTSD can develop at any age and various factors can increase the chance that someone will have PTSD, many of which are not under that person's control; and
WHEREAS, research has shown a strong link between level of combat stress and PTSD because often during war, military service members are exposed to a number of potentially traumatic events; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs estimates that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) afflicts: 11-20% who served in Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF), 12% who served in Gulf War, and 30% of Vietnam Veterans; and
WHEREAS, in November 2016, U.S. Army veteran from Ohio, Eli Smith took off on a 15,000-mile, 3-year journey across American to raise awareness for PTSD and veteran suicide. When Eli began his journey, an average of 22 veterans died each day from suicide according to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Devastated by that alarming number, Eli felt compelled to help his fellow veterans; and
WHEREAS, Eli sold all his possessions and set out to travel by foot across the United States, stopping in as many major cities as he could along the way to raise awareness about PTSD and veteran suicide. After walking 4,600 miles through 10 states, Eli switched over to a bicycle. Instead of keeping the original plan of walking the entire time, he added 3,400 miles to his route, so he could reach more cities and veterans; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Eli pedaled 7,000 miles through 18 states, and in 2019 he plans to pedal 4,800 more miles through another 18 states. Throughout his ...
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