Operation Iron Ruck involves a 151-mile hike from Tuscaloosa to Auburn. Student veterans will carry the game ball for Saturday’s Iron Bowl.

As fans from all over the state prepare to flood Jordan-Hare Stadium to watch the iconic Iron Bowl matchup, there’s one group of students encouraging fans to pay attention to something else entirely.

“For the players, the Iron Bowl is about sportsmanship. For the fans, it’s about fellowship and cheering for their team,” said Veterans Resource Center Director Puck Esposito. “But for my fellow veterans and myself, it’s about an opportunity to fulfill our responsibility to our fellow men and women in uniform.”

“For the players, the Iron Bowl is about sportsmanship. For the fans, it’s about fellowship and cheering for their team,” said Veterans Resource Center Director Puck Esposito. “But for my fellow veterans and myself, it’s about an opportunity to fulfill our responsibility to our fellow men and women in uniform.”

Bridging one of the most contentious divides throughout the Southeast, student veterans from both Auburn University and the University of Alabama will hike together to raise awareness for veteran suicide.

Operation Iron Ruck sets Iron Bowl rivalry aside to bring awareness to veteran suicide.

“Operation Iron Ruck brings both veterans from UA and Auburn together to bring awareness to the public about the struggle of veteran suicide and offers a personal level of support to those who participate,” said Jordan Golden, president of the UA Campus Veterans Association. “It’s a chance to decompress and meet new people that can relate to the struggles veterans are going through.”

Operation Iron Ruck is a three day, 151 mile journey that hopes to raise awareness and funds for veteran suicide prevention.

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) is proud to extend its support to the student veterans at Auburn University and the University of Alabama as they finalize preparations for Operation Iron Ruck.

Central Alabama VA held several tree-lighting ceremonies to spread holiday cheer for Veterans in Columbus, Georgia; and Tuskegee and Montgomery, Alabama.

To support awareness for veteran suicide, the University of Alabama and Auburn University will be participating in a ruck march beginning Wednesday and ending at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the Iron Bowl.

Alabama, Auburn student veterans set for ‘Operation Iron Ruck’ to

Alabama, Auburn team up to raise awareness about suicide among