Community Service and History
Volksmarching (from German Volksmarsch meaning "people's march") is a form of non-competitive fitness walking that developed in Europe. Participants typically walk 10 kilometers (6.2 mi) on an outdoor path. Volksmarching associations offer incentive awards (usually pins and patches) for collecting a certain number of events. Volksmarching participants enjoy recording distances and event participation in international record books. Less frequently used terms are Volkswanderung and Volkswalk.
Randy D. Edwards (CSM) (R) was stationed in Germany 1n 1992 during a deployment with Desert Storm. When he had the opportunity to get away on Sundays he would walk in the towns and villages around the military and compounds. These walks were called “Volkwalks” or People Walks. They were usually 10 - 25 Kilometers. The purpose was to walk and enjoy the proud countries forests, and landscapes. He did a personal history of Germany through memorials, statures, and historical venues that he could decompress from his daily activities and duties. At the end of the walks there were social events, Polka Bands, pastry, Steak sandwiches, Broughtwoursts and beer . It was enjoyable and therapeutic for him and his associates. Randy was a Lutheran so had the opportunity to follow his Christian history and visit some of Luther’s history places. . He found that he had the opportunity of a lifetime walking some of the steps Martin Luther may have actually stepped. Martin Luther was German. Therefore being Lutheran and in Germany he took a personal interest in the area he was deployed. Upon his return from Germany he wanted a venue that helped his local church and would gave back to the community. His intent as the Church council president was to help Saint Marks Lutheran Church with visibility and support to gaining membership and sharing their Christian beliefs.
The Church Council thought that the idea was a good idea and sponsored the first Saint Marks Lutheran Church Volkswalk. The first walk was in support to donate a portion of their proceeds to the "Make a Wish Foundation." community. Saint Marks is a 75 year institution that has been a major Christian part of this religious community.
Governor Gary Herbert...during his Governor Day talk August of 2013 boldly went off of his prepared talk and addressed the Soldiers on the field, The Families in the bleachers and the communities at large. “One suicide in Utah is one too many.”
As a retired Command Sergeant Major, Randy D. Edwards experienced Soldiers coming back from Irac and Afghanistan and through training noticed potential suicide, PTSD, TBI members of his units. Being aware of those going through what he had personally witnessed and experienced wanted this to be a project of community service and could not stand by and ignore the issue
The Veteran and Church community now has a duty to reduce the suicide rate in Utah. With the desire to do another Volkswalk this was going to be our purpose to approach Saint Marks Lutheran membership. Impressed to support our Governor in Suicide prevention for the State of Utah. This Volkswalk was the event that The American Legion wanted to present to the” Utah County Veterans Service Organizations” and because of the facilities and Founders of the first Volkswalk at Saint Marks this was the most logical event and location…The two organizations thought this was a good match. The Veterans community felt that if Saint Marks would partner this would work to help coordinate all the Agencies, Mental Health, VA, Veterans and the hundred of independent programs supporting Suicide, TBI, and PTSD. Veterans and the community could together for the prevention to one of the highest rates and states in suicidal deaths.
Saint Marks Lutheran Church and the Utah Veterans Service Organization are honor and privileged to present “Saint Marks Lutheran, Volks Walk” for the awareness to Veterans and Utah Suicide nrevention.
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Therefore; the History of Saint Marks Lutheran Church Volkswalk
May 31, 2014
Saint Marks Lutheran Church & Utah County Veterans Service Organizations
Presents
THE 2014 VOLKSWALK FOR VETERANS (and Community) SUICIDE, TBI & PTSD AWARENESS (5 – 10K)
10.00 AM
464 West 3700 North, Provo, Utah
Saint Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church
To Nunn’s Park, via Provo City and Utah County Trail
Purpose of the Event: August 2013 Governor Gary R. Herbert, told the Utah National Guard Soldiers on the field, The Utah National Guard Families, and the Utah Community that Suicide in Utah was a priority in his administration and he needed our support. Suicide in Utah was one of the highest records in the Nation and that “One Suicide in Utah was one too many.” The American Legion has been attempting taking the lead in Utah to try to coordinate and consolidate every agency, Program, Event, Service and individual effort to find a source and re-source to link especially Veterans to help and hope.
Suicide is linked to “Hopelessness” and our purpose is to find that program, that person, that organization and that agency that will guide them to a happy hopeful future. We are not the experts in suicide but we know who need help and we want to help educate, guide and direct them to the right treatments. We want the community who lives with them and those that need help to Question, Persuade and Refer. Acknowledge, Validate and Refer.
Not every person is the person for treatment. Not every program is the perfect program for the help they may need and not every program and event is the right event or program for the recovery. The Utah County Veterans Service Organizations want the public to know the various resources available and we want to have the total tools to refer those in need of help to the right people. Today we have gathered the experts and the network for that to happen. And we hope to find those we do not know about in that process. The Utah Veterans Service Organization is proud to have the Walk-In Network (WIN) as that major link in that information and individual personal connection gathering under Andrew Wilson.
Agenda: Please see the Program we sent your office
Background: (See Purpose of event) Governor Herbert’s Remarks to the “Governor’s Day Parade” “ Suicide Awareness” became one of Randy D. Edwards, Commander, of The American Legion for the State of Utah “Commander’s Program.”
Talking Points: “Remarks” Governors’ opportunity to remark on Suicide and relevant progress.
Role of Media: Media has been invited
Contact: Randy D. Edwards, Commander, Department of Utah, The American Legion and Utah County Veterans Service Organization – Coordinator. Office: 51 S. University Ave., Provo Utah, Suite 311 (Historic Courthouse)
Edwards.randy60@gmail.com ,
PH: 801-224-6168 (cell)
PH: 801-224=7477 (Home)
Personal address:1029 East 500 North, Orem Utah 84097
Staff & Coordination: Utah County Commissioners, Provo Mayors office, MG Jeff and Charn Burton, Spokespersons, Walk-In-Network, Andrew Wilson, Disabled American Veterans, Benevolent Order of Elks, Veterans of Foreign Wars, The American Legion
Hope4Utah, Wasatch Mental Health, Nami, Utah Valley Regional, Veterans Affairs Office, Gary Harter, VA Hospital, Governor’s Veteran’s Affairs Council, Utah County Veterans Service Organizations, and especially Saint Marks Lutheran Church for hosting this event. Other I may have forgotten.
Thank you to the Governors Office for allowing this to become a reality
For God and Country
Randy D. Edwards
Commander
Department of Utah (2013-2014)
The American Legion
