12,000 Pull-Ups Raise Veteran Suicide Awareness

A grueling 23-hour challenge aimed at raising awareness of veteran suicide shattered its original goal, with participants completing more than 12,000 pull-ups in Mount Sinai.

Suffolk County Legislator Chad Lennon, a Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and chairman of the Legislature’s Veterans Committee, organized the 2,222 Pull-Up Challenge at the Heritage Center. The event began Saturday morning and continued through Sunday, drawing veterans, law enforcement officers, families and community members.

“The 2,222 pull-up challenge was intended to bring awareness to the veteran suicide epidemic and the impact it has on our community,” Lennon said. “The community came together and did over 12,000 pull ups.”

The Suffolk County Corrections Emergency Response Unit alone completed 2,237 pull-ups, surpassing the event’s original goal as a team. Red Woods Fitness participants added another 1,741.

Children as young as four joined in, while park visitors, birthday party guests and even members of a wedding party stopped to participate or cheer.

“We are only beginning to spread this message,” Lennon said. “Our service members and veterans are not alone; the Suffolk County community is here to support all service members and veterans.”

County Executive Ed Romaine joined hundreds at the event and urged veterans struggling with mental health challenges to seek assistance.

“We work every day to tell our veterans that they are not alone,” Romaine said. “The battle is not over, but we are not done fighting.”

Following the challenge, organizers raised the Suicide Awareness & Remembrance flag in honor of veterans lost to suicide, including Marine Lance Corporal Filipe Feitor Runa DaSilva.

Kevin Hertell, an Air Force veteran who designed the SAR flag, said the ceremony seeks to confront the stigma surrounding mental health treatment.

“We create community to facilitate prevention,” Hertell said. “We Honor. We Remember. We Will End Veteran & Military Suicide Together.”

Suffolk County recognizes Sept. 22 annually as Veteran Suicide Awareness & Remembrance Day under legislation sponsored by Lennon and signed by Romaine.