Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Daniels celebrates veterans everyday through his non-profit The Journey Home Project. But over Memorial Day weekend, Daniels took it a step further.
Friday Daniels’ Journey Home Project held a reception for The Shepherd’s Men as the team of runners prepared to race through Nashville. The Shepherd’s Men is a Georgia-based group that annually completes a multi-state seven-day run to raise money and awareness of the high rate of veteran suicide — 22 people per day.
“Veteran suicide is something that should have been dealt with long ago by bringing awareness to the problem,” Daniels said. “We hope to put pressure on the government to really get involved and to make sure that mainstream America is aware of this horrible tragedy.”
The Journey Home Project hosted the group at The Palm Restaurant before their Saturday morning run. The Journey Home Project co-founder David Corlew presented The Shepherd’s Men with a check for $25,000 to help the organization’s continued efforts to aid veterans.
“The Shepherd’s Men are relentless in their efforts to end the tragic pattern of suicide with our returning veterans,” Corlew said. “The Journey Home Project is committed to this issue and believe we have the best possible partnership we could have to try and save precious lives, one at a time.”
Cindy Watts – The Tennessean