23rd Veteran

Subject: Letter of Support – Sponsorship of Ruck Life, Anoka – September 6, 2025

Post Commanders, Adjutants, Executive Board Members, and all Members of the 10th District Family:

As your 10th District Commander, I am proud to extend my full support and encourage anyone in the 10th District family to donate to Ruck Life – Anoka, scheduled for September 6, 2025, benefiting 23rd Veteran, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 47-1852627).

On a few personal notes, I am a participant in the 23V Recon XVIII cohort, which will conclude in mid-May. The cohorts begin with an outdoor adventure about a week in duration. For ours, 14 veterans guided by expert staff of Veterans in the Wild, canoed approximately 50 miles down the Suwanee River in Florida the beginning of February. Every evening, we had campfires at our rustic camp sites where we would have deep discussions about our past, present, future, and what matters to each of us. I was struggling with the recent deaths of two veterans I had worked with for months, and the weight of my vocation as a county veterans service officer. I’d become very angry about injustices and the suffering of veterans I saw regularly at work. After our trip, we committed to three-times weekly workouts followed by positive psychology group sessions at a local gym. We also have group social gatherings every other week, most of which can involve friends and family. It is a community approach to healing.

For the past ten years, 23rd Veteran has dedicated itself to improving the lives of military veterans transitioning back to civilian life, particularly those battling post-traumatic stress, isolation, and emotional trauma. Through innovative programs like 23V RECON and events such as Ruck Life, 23rd Veteran empowers our brothers and sisters with the tools to rediscover purpose, connection, and joy.

The Ruck Life event is more than a fundraiser—it is a show of solidarity, grit, and gratitude. Veterans, supporters, and community members join together to carry weighted packs as a symbolic gesture of carrying each other’s burdens. In doing so, they raise funds and awareness for those who’ve carried far heavier weights in silence.

As the 10th District Commander, I believe events like Ruck Life exemplify the values we hold dear in the American Legion: service before self, unity of purpose, and relentless commitment to those who served.

I strongly encourage local businesses, posts, and individuals to sponsor or participate in this powerful event. Your support helps provide direct resources to veterans in need—and sends a clear message that they are not alone.

For more information on 23rd Veteran and their mission, please visit www.23rdveteran.org.

10th District Commander Kristy Janigo