Swammie Shuffle 200

On February 28th, 2020 Dustin “Swammie” Lang became one of the 22 American veterans that lose the battle to post traumatic stress and depression every day. Swammie was a Marine veteran who did three tours to Iraq earning a Purple Heart and a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

On February 28th 2022 the Swammie Shuffle 200 will begin. Though there is nothing we can do to change what happened that day. We can make a difference. By raising awareness and funds for Mission 22 the Swammie Shuffle will begin to redeem that day. We will not forget what happened, but we will not be crippled by it. We will use it as a reminder to reach out, to love each other, and to provide assistance for those who are struggling.

The runners in this event will begin at Sanbridge Beach in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and run 100 miles south through the Outer Banks of North Carolina to the Hatteras Light House. Once reaching the lighthouse they will turn around and run back.

While we understand that running 200 miles isn’t for everyone, we ask that you make a difference in whatever way you can. If you can make a donation, please do. If you can’t run, and aren’t able to make a donation please spread the word about Mission 22 and the resources they provide our veterans.

Our veterans are killing themselves at an alarming rate!

Did you know that while suicide rates in America rose 23% from 2001-2014, veteran suicide rose 32% during that same time?

Did you know that our veterans are 21% more likely to commit suicide than our civilian counterparts?

Did you know that we lose more veterans per year (8030) to suicide than were lost to combat during the entire Iraqi and Afghanistan wars combined (6916)?

Are you aware that female veterans are 2.4 times more likely to commit suicide?

Please help us help them...

Mission 22 supports the veteran community with three main programs; veteran treatment programs, memorials and community social impact. Mission 22 provides treatment programs to veterans for Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury and other issues they might be facing. It organizes events and builds memorials to create social impact and awareness for these issues. Mission 22 serves combat veterans, those injured in training who therefore could not deploy and victims of MST. Mission 22 also has an Ambassador volunteer program for people to get involved as well. Ambassadors educate the public on veteran issues, help get veterans into Mission 22 treatment programs and create resources in their communities. Through these three programs, it enables a push for the betterment of our community and support when veterans need it the most, right now.