Donny O’Malley started his career as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps, and he then parlayed that career into a new one after being medically retired. He became a comedian, writing a comedy book that he hopes will do more than just make people laugh. It’s the first in a series of military-themed humor novels that he hopes will raise awareness for veteran suicides, with each chapter including a call to action. Preventing veteran suicides is a cause that O’Malley is passionate about, and he combined his passion for humor and veteran advocacy in a march that took place this weekend on a California boardwalk. The Marines that participated marched 22 kilometers, while carrying 22 kilograms, to remember the 22 service members that kill themselves each day… and they did it all while wearing silkies.
Silkies double as both running shorts and underwear, and anyone who visits a Marine Corps base is likely to see a battalion of Marines running PT in the distinctive shorts. The participants of the march ran the 22 kilometers, which equals over 13 miles, while towing the 22 kilograms, or nearly 50 pounds, while wearing nothing but the tiny shorts, combat boots and a smile. The march started at the South Mission Beach Cove in San Diego, and ended at La Jolla Cove.
One of O’Malley’s goals is to extend the camaraderie that veterans typically enjoy while serving. Once they get out of the military, though, they can feel isolated. Civilians rarely understand what military life was like for veterans, nor can they empathize with the struggles veterans face after leaving active duty. O’Malley hopes that events such as these will help service members to extend that feeling of brotherhood, and thus prevent future suicides.
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