They've climbed challenging mountains like Mount Rainier.
They’ve served our country.
Now, Team USX (www.usx.vet) is preparing to summit the top of the world.
"I was interested in taking part of this Expedition because not only will I be climbing the tallest mountain in the world, but I'll be doing it while raising awareness for veteran's issues-- especially the issues of Post Traumatic Stress which have affected me personally and many of the soldiers with whom I served,” said retired Staff Sergeant Chad Jukes on a website video.
Team USX is co-founded by retired command Sgt. Major Todd Burnett--a Purple Heart recipient who's survived the most I.E.D. attacks of any U.S. Army soldier.
The mission-- to bring awareness to PTSD and veteran suicides.
"I suffer from Post Traumatic Stress disorder and you know went through a lot of struggles and trials and tribulations and had been married to my wife, you know, we'd been married 26 years. I had her and she came and she said, I love you to death, but I just don't know who you are no more and I can't help you if I don't understand,” said retired Command Sergeant Major Todd Burnett.
Team USX also aims to put the first combat injured soldier atop Mount Everest. Staff Sergeant Chad Jukes will climb with a prosthetic leg.
"He's also climbing for no barriers, to say that there is no barriers. There's nothing that's going to stop me whether it's Post Traumatic Stress, whether it's being an amputee,” said Burnett.
At each base camp, the team will remember vets who chose suicide.
A film crew will document their journey.
They hope to summit on Memorial Day.
"A lot of people don't know that more soldiers are dying from their own cause than have been killed by the enemy. 22 veterans a day commit suicide and one active duty soldier commits suicide every day."
You can learn more and donate to Team USX here
You can also follow Team USX on Facebook here
