On April 24, 2012, our close friend Sergeant Kristopher M. Cool made the unfortunate decision to take his own life. He left behind a daughter, a family who loved him, and close friends who would call him a brother. Ten years later, his unexpected departure still weighs on those he left behind. In addition to loss, we carry guilt for not being able to help and frustration with a broken system that wasn’t there when Kristopher needed it most. 

The loss of Kristopher is especially hard for those of us who’ve walked in his boots — fellow Veterans. The anxiety and depression he struggled with is often shared within the veteran community, many of whom fight their own personal battles every day. It is this common burden that inspired my journey to collect Kristopher’s ashes from his home in Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, carrying them across the country to spread them upon the hallowed sands of Sicily Drop Zone in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This ride was meant to provide Kristopher a final resting place while also illuminating the issue of Veterans mental health.

This was Ride for Light

• Launched from Wilmington, North Carolina

• Covered 15,000+ miles 

• Visited 48 states

• Strived to unite the Veteran community of Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors

• Retrieved the ashes of Sergeant Kristopher M. Cool, Parkers Prairie, Minnesota

• Retrieved the ashes of Specialist David J. Howard, San Luis Obispo, California

• Spread awareness of Veterans mental health

• Convened at Sicily Drop Zone, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and distributed the remains of our two brothers