THE ACTUAL HIKE ITSELF IS FOR VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY, NATIONAL GUARD, AND RESERVISTS ONLY. Participants hike 22km (13.67 miles), while carrying 22kg (48.5lbs), wearing Silkies, combat boots, and a ruck - 22 representing the 22 military suicides a day.
The Irreverent Warriors Silkies hikes are a series of events across the nation designed to PREVENT veteran suicide by bringing veterans together using humor and camaraderie to heal the mental wounds of war through therapeutic events and entertainment.
Irreverent Warriors is PREVENTING veteran suicide through the use of unconventional therapy. Veterans are different, and therefore use different methods of coping. In the face of tragedy, a veteran is more likely to use humor as a coping mechanism than anything else. Civilians are not allowed to hike but are welcome to volunteer and/or meet us at the stops along the way!!!
The mission of the Silkies Hike is to bring veterans together with laughter and camaraderie, to provide a day of therapy. These hikes support and spread our bottom line: "put the gun back on safe, put it back on the nightstand, and stick around a bit longer."
Civilians: Please meet us for the initial festivities and also advance to the locations if you'd like to receive your veterans with cheers, hugs, kisses, photos, videos, screaming, yelling, and excessive PDA. If you’d like to volunteer, leave a comment under the DISCUSSION section and the hike coordinator will contact you.
WHAT TO BRING:
ID - **ID's will be checked if you are served alcohol and you MUST be wearing the Irreverent Warrior wrist band that you will receive at registration - this includes volunteers and drivers as well as participants
WATER - we will have water on our support vehicles but you are encouraged to have your own as well.
CASH - we are asking everyone to pay cash at the stops - this will help get faster service and one of the conditions we've arranged for drink specials.
FLAGS - Branch related, State, US, LEO, Honor and Remember NO POLITICAL FLAGS
TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY: Drive yourself in, but we recommend you get a ride home if you have been drinking.
LEGAL STUFF: No open containers and don't be "that guy"
Don't bring any weapons, weapon accessories, magazines, ammo, flash bangs, grenades, nuclear devices, WMDs or other illegal arms.
We will be going into public venues, so even if you are licensed for concealed carry - leave it. Pocket/utility knives are allowed as long as local laws are adhered to.
Public intoxication is illegal - there we said it.
DOs: Do "check-in" on Facebook as we progress through the hike. Do whatever it takes to help a fellow vet out Do mumble the words "I love you" to a bunch of dudes/dudettes you've never met.
DO bring motto shirts and everything you own that is red, white, and blue
We ask for a donation as there are expenses involved (insurance, permits, law enforcement, etc,) but if you don't have the ability or debit/credit card, there is an option to register for free.
****TO REGISTER AND SIGN WAIVER*** Everyone, including volunteers, is REQUIRED to register, sign a waiver, and a Code of Conduct! If you have not registered, please do! It helps us prepare a great hike and keeps you from having to standing in line the morning of the hike. You WILL have to register at the hike if you don't do it online.
We are incredibly grateful for your donations and support. We will express our gratitude by using your money to keep veterans alive and well. Irreverent Warriors is a California based public charity, with 501c3 exemptions. Tax ID #47-4789126
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