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PASADENA, Md. (WBAL) — If you were in Pasadena last week, you might have seen a man running carrying an American flag.
Retired Army Captain Kyle Butters didn’t just run a mile, he ran 44.
“This flag has been everywhere, from Afghanistan (to) Kuwait (to) Turkey,” Butters said.
More than just sentimental value, the flag he carries is a symbol of freedom and sacrifice.
It’s about raising awareness of the mental health issues faced by veterans.
“It affected me personally. I was medically removed from the military due to mental health issues. I also lost soldiers to suicide throughout my time in the military (and ) even since I got out of the military,” Butters said. .
Starting in his own neighborhood in Pasadena, Butters walked 4 miles every four hours for a total of 22 miles per day to represent the estimated 22 veterans who take their own lives each day.
“They think during the COVID pandemic that (has) gone up to 20%,” Butters said. “I chose to use running as a platform because not all veterans have the physical ability to do what I do, and people are careful when you run long distances.”
He’s raising a lot of money with the race — over $12,000 — to support the Infinite Hero organization.
“They give grants to veterans and also to research causes, whether it’s brain damage, PTSD, or even physical disabilities,” Butters said.
Butters said he will return there next year and hopes it can spread to other states with the ultimate goal of normalizing difficult conversations that could save lives.
“It’s easy to congratulate veterans and thank them for their service and for doing these beautiful things. But no one asks the hard questions. No one asks, ‘How are you inside? How’s your head? you do to take care of yourself?’ And that’s part of my mission, asking people these questions and making sure other people understand that these are the questions that really need to be asked,” Butters said.
To donate to the Buttters cause, tap here.
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