ABOUT THE EVENT
210 flags. 2.10 miles. One mission.
You carried it home. But you don't have to carry it alone.
On July 4th, 2026, Veterans Health + Wellness Alliance invites you to lace up, ruck up, and walk with us at the inaugural VH+WA Freedom Ruck — a 2.10 mile community walk honoring each of the Tennessee's veterans who died by suicide in 2023.
Along the route, 210 flags will mark our path — one for each of them. This isn’t a race. It’s a remembrance. And a declaration that we’re not done fighting.
EVENT DETAILS
⭐️ Suggested Donation: $25 per participant (ages 10 and under free with parent or adult guardian)
📅 July 4th, 2026
🧾 7:00-7:50 AM — Check-in is open. A printed or electronic copy of your confirmation email(s) and photo ID are required at check-in, and each participant will need to sign a liability release form. If the participant is 10 years or younger, a parent or adult guardian must sign the waiver on their behalf. Day-of registrations also welcome. Check-in closes at 7:50 AM to prepare for the Opening Flag Ceremony.
⏰ 8:00 AM — Opening Flag Ceremony
👣 8:30 AM (approx.) — Walk Begins. Distance is 2.10 miles (stroller-friendly, all fitness levels welcome)
📍 Pinkerton Park, Franklin, TN
WHAT TO EXPECT
We'll open with a brief flag ceremony honoring those we've lost and those still fighting. Then we walk — together.
Wear your ruck if you have one. Walk if you don't. Bring the kids. Bring the leashed dog. Just show up.
☕ Free coffee courtesy of North Arrow Coffee Cafe — a veteran-owned café right here in Franklin, TN.
🎖️ Commemorative ruck patch included with your $25 donation, while supplies last.
👕 Custom Freedom Ruck t-shirts! If you’d like to order an optional official Freedom Ruck 2026 t-shirt to wear the day of the Ruck, order here. It will be shipped directly to you from the print company, so order early!
WANT TO GO THE DISTANCE?
The official route is 2.10 miles — but if you want to keep walking, keep walking.
Every mile beyond 2.10 is a mile walked toward a future where no flag needs to be planted.
YOUR DONATION AT WORK
Too many of our Veterans come home carrying weight the system wasn't built to help them set down — chronic health issues, trauma, mental health challenges, addiction, and more. VH+WA exists to change that.
We cover the cost of integrative, root-cause healthcare for post-9/11 Veterans in Middle Tennessee — at no cost to the veteran. That means real care: mental wellness counseling, advanced diagnostics, life coaching, dental work, and beyond. No co-pay. No bureaucracy.
Your $25 helps us reach the next one.
ABOUT VH+WA
Veterans Health + Wellness Alliance is a Middle Tennessee nonprofit dedicated to providing integrative, whole-person care for post-9/11 Tennessee Veterans. Our Veterans are warriors in our own community — and they deserve renewed hope and restored wholeness.