22 Push-up Challenge heating up in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Service members and civilians are dropping and giving 22 in a challenge aimed at drawing attention to issues veterans face.

“It’s identification with post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury,” Colonel Len Loving, CEO of 5 Star Veterans Center, said.

Those disorders too often lead to veteran suicide.

Chris Taylor said he knows about it firsthand.

“When I was in Hawaii, I had a marine, one of my marines, kill himself right in front of me,” he said.

Most of us have heard that an average of 22 veterans commit suicide each day.

Doctors say that number is probably higher. The challenges, which involves 22 push-ups for 22 days, is meant to get the message across.

Action News Jax looked online and found not only active duty members but women and people all across the country taking part.

5 Star Veterans Center has a mental health center that helps struggling heroes.

The center applauds the push up challenge and wants people to understand and help those who are still fighting a war.

“They throw meds at you. Take these meds, and go about your day -- but it's much more than that,” Taylor said.

If you’d like to learn more about the push up challenge, search the #22pushupchallenge on Twitter or Facebook.

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