Veteran Walks Across Iowa to Promote Mental Health Awareness

LONE TREE, Iowa (KCRG) - Darrian Schwenke, a retired U.S. Army Ranger, has traversed over 250 miles across Iowa with golf clubs on his back as part of his initiative to promote mental health awareness among veterans. Schwenke is embarking on a project called 'Project Course of Action,' which involves a journey from the Missouri River to the Mississippi River, covering a total of approximately 375 miles.

Originally from Atlantic, Iowa, Schwenke stops at various golf courses along his route to connect with fellow veterans, sharing their stories and playing golf. He revealed that golf served as a form of relaxation for him following his departure from the Army in 2023. Through this walk, he aims to shed light on the mental health challenges faced by veterans.

"Carrying those golf clubs is pretty meaningful to me because I’m helping share that weight of some of those burdens that a lot of people deal with every day, whether it’s stressors in daily life or those stemming from deployments," Schwenke noted.

Despite facing challenges such as extreme heat, rain, and construction detours, Schwenke is determined to reach Le Claire, Iowa, on or around September 29, where he will meet a group of veterans.

He expressed, "If I can influence one person to take up a positive impact in their life, it’d be worth it in the end."