From Becky Bowden, For Iron County Today
What would you say if someone asked you to go on a one day 26-mile hike? As if that wasn’t brutal enough, to also carry a 35lb backpack? “Are you crazy?” was what I was thinking but didn’t want to sound like a chicken, so I responded with, “Um, let me think about it.” Well, 7 of us from the Iron County area “thought about it” and decided to commit to taking on this challenge. After months of training, we arrived at United We March’s 7th Annual Gunnison Gut Check on Friday, September 6, 2024, in Gunnison, Utah. This organized event is held to honor the men and women who have served or are serving in our military, as first responders, in law enforcement and as firefighters, and to express love, gratitude and support to the families of these brave men and women.
According to the founder, who wished to remain anonymous, United We March began in 2018, and is a patriotic organization focused on uniting Americans as we were united on 9/12/2001. The hike is based on the idea of a ruck march held in his hometown. He described it as a gut check that provides “personal self-improvement both physically and most importantly mentally and emotionally.” He went on to state that “participants learn a lot about themselves during their [hiking} journey. Testimonies from participants have been positive and healing, along with a realization that they can do hard tasks and do them alongside others.”
The event kicked off Friday evening with a Patriotic Procession. We had the privilege of helping to carry, along with many other volunteers, “Big Betsy”, a giant American flag, down Gunnison’s Main Street to their local park. To say it was an honor is an understatement.
Early the next morning before the sun rose, Saturday, September 7th, all the participants gathered at the park to begin our journeys. Some were to hike 3 miles, others 16 miles and still others 26 miles. Before the hiking began, we unfurled Big Betsy once more and sang our National Anthem. Tears filled our eyes as we sang those hallowed words.
It was go time! As we meandered the deserty hills surrounding Gunnison, our team talked, laughed, and met new people. There were aid stations along the way that provided snacks and drinks and most importantly moral support. They cheered us on, let us rest in their chairs and gave us what we needed to continue the adventure. As the day moved forward there were times of quiet reflection amongst us. Lost in my own thoughts, I was reminded of how this hike was so similar to life. We have times of intense joy and positivity, and other times when we ask ourselves, “can I actually do this?” One of those particular “down” times was in the heat of the day as we came to the bottom of, what is affectionately called, “Hell Hill.” It is steep. It is long. It is at mile 19. Our biggest cheerleader going up that hill was our teammate, 13-year-old Lewis Davis. We all made it and celebrated with Gatorade and snacks at the top!
Coming up on mile 26 was such a relief and a moment of sheer delight! It was also a sobering reminder of those who have carried the burden of caring for and protecting our country and its citizens both in the past and present. We must choose to do hard things at times because it is the right thing to do. We must also remember, according to the hike’s founder, that “Timelines of American history such as the Global War on Terrorism, Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, are a part of us all. Our way of life, safety, securities and liberties are secured by sacrifices daily. We must take it upon ourselves to care for one another despite our differences…and the greatest gift we can show them [veterans and first responders] is unity.”
If asked, would we ruck it again next year? In a heartbeat!
We would love to include more Iron County participants in next year’s 8th Annual Gunnison Gut Check. The United We March founder shared that in 2024, they raised over $40,000 which they passed on to the following organizations whom they trust and have witnessed their efforts to care and heal:
- Wildland Firefighter Foundation – Fallen firefighters and family support charity
- Utah 1033 Foundation – Utah fallen officers and family support Law Enforcement charity
- UVU Military Affiliated Student Hub – Military charity
- Acel Thompson Not Forgotten Fund – Service charity projects to aid for all who serve
- Heroes Haven – Veteran Retreat to combat veteran suicide
- Forge Forward Project – Virtual Reality combatting veteran suicide”