We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Shown here is the Billmayer family from Hogeland. They suffered the loss of their son/brother, Tristan Wayne Billmayer to suicide in May of 2015. They have dedicated this annual walk in his memory. It is their hopes that bringing awareness can help save lives so that other families don't have to endure the pain or suffering that their family was forced to face. September has been declared Suicide Awareness month. Please pray for all families that have lost a loved one to this devastation and help bring awareness to others around you.
Guest speaker, Clint Malarchuk, "The Cowboy Goalie" spoke to the group about mental illness and how it affected his life. It is something that he has to deal with on a daily basis. He has found that talking about it and finding your inner spirit through meditation, prayer, and talking about it has been very important to him. After a series of near death experiences, he gives his wife credit for saving him by getting him the help he needed. He was a very inspirational speaker that was the grand finale to the Suicide Awareness Walk this past Saturday.
Walkers lined the roadway heading north from the Catholic Church this past Saturday during the Suicide Awareness Walk. A great crowd was on hand for the 2nd annual walk. It was a cool, muddy day but the weather held out for the many walkers who came out to support the cause and show support. Some supporters drove ATV's while others walked the 8 mile trek.
This group gathered for a moment of prayer and silence prior to setting out for the 8 mile trek to Turner. Although it was cool and very cloudy, the rain held off and weather was favorable throughout the walk.
In conjunction with September being Suicide Prevention Month, the second annual Suicide prevention walk was once again held. The day started with buses driven by Frank McGuire and Cody Ballard transporting people from the Turner Park to the Catholic Church where registration took place. While some people were either unable to walk or just chose not to, they had the option to drive a slow moving ATV. Prior to the walk, Father Felix gave a blessing for the day and engaged the crowd in a prayer. The walk then began with over 100 walkers of all ages. There were little ones with training wheels on their bikes, and older people on side by sides. The amount of people who poured out their love and showed support to this event was quite overwhelming. It was a phenomenal site to see with a line of people strung out for miles. The 8 mile trek was time to remember, focus, and reflect on life itself. The walk was made to not only remember those who have taken their life to suicide but to encourage those who are troubled or have some sort of mental illness to seek help, and to talk about it.
The walkers and the ATV riders all arrived back into Turner between 11:00 and 12:00 and gathered at the School Old Gym. A delicious meal was prepared by the Catholic and Lutheran church ladies.
At 2:00, guest speaker, Clint Malarchuk, a retired hockey player and coach spoke to the group about his experience of mental illness. As a young hockey player, he found himself clutching on to life after having his throat slit by a hockey skate. He was a strong man and survived giving credit to his team's trainer for reaching into his neck to pinch shut the severed artery that would later need 300 stitches. But, this traumatic accident led to a spiral of nightmares, insomnia, chronic depression and alcoholism. Twice he tried to kill himself, with the bullet from one attempt still lodged next to his right eye, and only now feels he can cope with his demons thanks to his loving wife.
Through rehab and counseling, he now understands and learns to deal with what is post traumatic stress disorder, OCD, depression and alcoholism. It is this that exacerbated his problems and he must deal with on a daily basis. He acknowledges his problems and admittedly says it's okay to ask for help and talking about it is imperative. He has had a long, tough ride, but he's tightening up his grip and holding on! He is determined to win!!
The crowd that came to hear this speaker, came away with better understanding about how mental illness takes a support group and lots of talking. It was a great day, one to remember and to reflect upon those who have gone too soon and the importance to talk to others who are reaching out.
