Irreverent Warriors working to stop Veteran suicide
CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee (WDEF)– 22 veterans a day take their own life. Irreverent Warriors is on a mission to stop that.
“Healing through helping. I’m able to heal myself by helping others heal themselves,” said Payne.
“I believe we were put on this earth to serve others. It’s not about us, it’s about helping other people there that are in need and that itself is rewarding,” said Cowert.
“It’s the people. Truly the people. I can come around these people without having to have a drink of alcohol in my body. I can hang out and talk to them I don’t have to mask around them I can just be me,” said David Banks.
Veterans, such as Steve Cowert and Chrissy Payne, organized this hike through Chattanooga to bring veterans together. These events focus on creating bonds through hikes and humor.
“We have a certain mindset. When you get all of us together, it’s easier for us to open up to each other because we’re not worried about offending anybody or saying the wrong thing and that’s kind of where the dark humor comes in. It makes it to where we can just talk to each other and not be afraid to be ourselves,” said Payne.
That humor starts with short shorts, also known as silkies. These are shorts required to be worn during military physical training.
“It’s really hard for you to be uncomfortable when everybody’s uncomfortable. It’s an Icebreaker,” said Payne.
Payne says this organization recreated her bond with the military.
“This is my purpose at this point. I’ve been with a group for four years now and when I got out I completely severed all ties to the military and when I found this group it was like coming home. I came home. I was able to take my mask off that I had on for years this is my family now,” said Payne.
“I’ve heard a number of people who have gotten involved with this organization and they’ve walked away stating if it wasn’t for this organization they probably wouldn’t be here right now. For me, that means a lot. What brought me to this organization was the loss of a friend and I didn’t realize one of the key components of people that have been in the service is the camaraderie piece of it. They miss the camaraderie,” said Cowert.
