ROYAL OAK, Mich. – A Royal Oak veteran finished a 500-mile journey today. A journey done entirely on foot. It’s all to shine a spotlight on an issue, he says, that stays stuck in the shadows: veterans’ mental health.
A single step may seem simple, but for veteran Lawrence Miller, each one sparks a conversation about mental health among veterans.
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Miller marked the end of his second Trek for Vets, each step packed with purpose.
“I am a U.S. Marine Recon Veteran, and, a handful of years ago, I went through the darkest period of my life, and if it wasn’t for the handful of guys around me helping me get through that, I wouldn’t be here where I am at,” Miller said on Monday (May 25).
He says healing starts with a single step.
“I started up in St. Ignace on May 1, and I am completing here in Royal Oak’s Memorial Day Parade,” Miller said.
Last year, he covered 200 miles in 12 days.
This time, it’s 500 miles of forward motion and frank conversations.
He makes stops along the way and says he spoke to at least 500 people a day this year.
“Each day, every time I went through, I met with every police chief, fire chief, and county sheriff, along with active duty bases about our veteran duty response time and creating roundtables, how we activate more teams working alongside the men and women in these counties and these cities in these crisis situations,” Miller said.
Because, in moments of crisis, the right words and the right response can make all the difference.
“The hardest part for a veteran to do is admit they need help, and when they do admit they need help, it’s against them legally or professionally,” Miller said.
That’s why he founded Trek for Vets Coffee.
He says every good conversation starts with a single sip.
“Coffee fuels two initiatives – our veteran crisis response team and regenerative medicine treatments to reduce opioid surgery and response time for military veterans and their families,” Miller said.
Every mile had a mission, tied to that caffeine-fueled cause.
“Our goal this year was to sell 500 cases of coffee, representing each mile to fuel these initiatives,” Miller said. “So, we can stand alongside them and build these communities.”