Some military heroes are fighting a new battle on the home front as they continue to save lives in Metro Detroit.
United States Navy Sea, Air, and Land Teams take on the most harrowing missions for our freedom, but once they come home, they are on a new mission that we all need to be aware of.
“We just did a scram from the Ambassador Bridge to the Gordie Howe Bridge,” said combat war veteran P.J. Ramsey.
Ramsey doesn’t mention that he served our country as a Navy SEAL, who are the best, strongest, most mentally tough, and fearless people who defend freedom for us.
But Ramsey and other veterans once again swim in the strong currents of the Detroit River in the name of Navy SEAL Chad Wilkenson.
Wilkenson is a Navy SEAL who took his own life after returning from combat.
“Our mission is to change the narrative around suicide and to start creating awareness around PTS, mild traumatic brain injury, blast wave injuries, and the visible injuries that come with war,” Ramsey said.
Local 4 was with Ramsey in 2023 as he and his crew swam up and down the river to raise awareness and help our veterans with mental health care when they come home.
Ramsey admits the swim is a chance for him to keep his head down in the water while privately expressing his feelings and strong emotions about his own issues.
He said the hardest thing about being a Navy SEAL was asking for help.
“One of the hardest things I’ve ever did was reach out and ask for help,” Ramsey said.
Swimming in the Detroit River to get attention on veteran suicide prevention got our attention, and we hope you share this story to help spread the word for this honorable cause.