Box Step-Ups to honor Veterans and prevent suicide

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Veterans day is quickly approaching, and some communities honored those who serve Saturday.

In Mitchell, Navy Seal Chad Wilkinson was honored.

Sadly, Chad took his own life on October 29, 2018.

The event Saturday was coordinated by CrossFit Tempest and Dakota Rucking Group.

It was called Chad 1000x, and teams were formed to do 1,000 box step ups.

"Mental health is one of the things that isn't as highlighted. We highlight lives lost, but not so much the mental health issues that come with serving. A lot of people are not the same when they come back. So just raising awareness and funds to support that is very important," Kevin Erdmann said, CrossFit Tempest Owner.

The mission is to spread awareness about suicide prevention for veterans while honoring Chad's life.

"When I see a group like this supporting veteran suicide awareness, this is great. The more word we get out the more veterans and other folks who are thinking about suicide we can help stop them from doing that," Hugh Holmes said, a Veteran.

This is the second year of the Chad 1,000x workout.

It serves as a fundraiser for the Step Up Foundation , an organization who works to fight back against veteran suicide.