Irreverent warriors asks service members, veterans to participate in Silkies Hike

Oct. 23--Silkies are making a return to Fayetteville on Saturday to raise awareness of and help prevent veteran suicide.

Veterans, active duty service members, reservists and those in the National Guard are encouraged to don their combat boots and silkies -- traditional military physical training shorts -- to participate in the Silkies Hike, which is hosted by Irreverent Warriors.

Irreverent Warriors is a national nonprofit group that uses humor to bring veterans together to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide, organizers said.

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Registration for the hike starts at 8 a.m. at Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux at 2116 Skibo Road in Fayetteville.

The hike starts at 9 a.m., and there will be stops at Smokey Bones, Mac's Speedshop, Harley Davidson and Bubba's for food, drinks and camaraderie.

"The Silkies Hike was created to fit an unmet demand for veterans to bond with other veterans, to relive the sense of brotherhood and family felt while in the military," said Heather Griffith, a Marine veteran and lead coordinator for Irreverent Warriors in Fayetteville.

Family members, friends, and the community and encouraged to join participants and stops and cheer or honk when passing by the hike, Griffith said.

The hikes started after Irreverent Warriors' founder lost someone close to him from suicide, Nate McDonald, chief operating officer of Irreverent Warriors, told The Fayetteville Observer in 2019.

"The reason we wear silkies is it's an icon that's part of the vintage (physical training) uniform, and it kind of breaks down barriers, because whether you like it or not, it's humorous," McDonald previously said. "And then rucking is something most in the military have done at one point, so it's nostalgic and creates camaraderie."

The connections and bonds made at the events allow veterans to create their own support network solving the most crucial issue contributing to veteran suicide -- isolation -- the organization's website states.

To register or donate, visit silkieshikefayetteville.eventbrite.com.

Supporters are also encouraged to join the Irreverent Warriors -- Fayetteville group on Facebook.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobsever.com or 910-486-3538.

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