News : Veterans ruck: UI game ball to be carried through Benton Co., Friday

Josh Mulder & Traveler (and Josh's dad, Dave) were among vets rucking from the Minnesota to Iowa.

Game Day Ruck: UI veterans carry the ball toward Brandon on Thursday.

A group of volunteers from the University of Iowa Veterans Association left Jesup on Thursday, heading for Brandon. On Friday morning, another group will carry a ceremonial game ball from Brandon to Hiawatha along the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, passing through Urbana and Center Point.

Thast day of the ruck will include other veterans from the U of I walking the ball to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

Ruckers will each be carrying 22 pounds to honor the 22 veterans who take their own lives every day. The 22 lb will be made up of personal belongings of the volunteers ruck marcher which hold significance to their personal military experience or which honors the service of friends or family. The 286 mile ruck march will kick off on Sunday November 8th. Teams of six volunteers will ruck for six hour shifts.

Josh Mulder, a Vinton native who served in the Marines, is participating in the ruck and will also be part of the Game Day ceremonies honoring all veterans. Mulder's service dog, Traveler, is as always at his side.

Mulder and Traveler, along with Josh's father, Dave, were among the veterans who left TCF Stadium on Sunday to start the ruck.

Before the event Josh described the items that would fill his backpack during his portion of the ruck.

"I will be carrying with me some things I have from when I was in country (in Afghanistan): Magzines I used in my rifle, and in my M-9, my dog tags I wore in country, this book that's like a military guide book that they gave us when we got in country that had a whole bunch of information on things such such as patrolling, IED info, enemy weapons info, call for fire, 9-line CASEVAC, things like that," said Mulder. "We also filled some sandbags as well. I think there's around 40-50 people who are signed up to ruck."

Flag tribute

Veterans have created a display with the letter "I" made from 5,550 flags. That display is finished and will remain through next weekend.