A group of military veterans who are PSEG Long Island employees recently took to the water to raise awareness of mental health issues afflicting many veterans. The seven employee-military veterans were among 22 veterans participating in the fifth “22 PTSD Awareness Challenge” (22PAC) event, an arduous 22-mile kayaking trip from Bridgeport, CT, to Port Jefferson to help shine a light on veteran PTSD and end veteran suicide.
In teams of two, the 22 veterans operated pedal-powered kayaks in a physically demanding, five-hour cross-Sound journey. The hot sun, humidity and headwinds made the trip that much more difficult.
The number 22 is significant for this event because it is the estimated number of military veterans who take their own lives each day.
Tom Sketch of Seaford, a U.S. Navy veteran, was one of the kayakers.
“It’s a great event to bring awareness to the challenges veterans face after their service is completed,” said Sketch. “It was a little more difficult than I thought it would be but we had beautiful weather and I am glad I was able to complete it!”
PSEG Long Island is proud to count military veterans among its workforce. Its employees are dedicated to providing customers with safe, reliable power and also committed to the communities they serve by engaging in community service activities and raising funds to support and help their neighbors.
For more photos of the event, click here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjA7D91.