Friday’s Heroes Game between Nebraska and Iowa is a faceoff of two Big Ten rivals, but it’s more than that for the Student Veterans Organization from both universities. They’re walking more than 300 miles from Iowa City to Lincoln to raise awareness for veteran’s suicide awareness during “The Things They Carry Ruck March.”

“Iowa and Nebraska are ‘enemies’ on the football field, but out here we’re family and no matter what one team, one fight,” said University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior Jacob Post.

Veterans and others crossed into Nebraska on the Veterans Memorial Bridge Wednesday morning. Many carried an extra 20 pounds to represent the average number of veterans who die by suicide every day.

“When it’s cold and inclement weather we’re out here picking them up and putting them down to march for those who can’t anymore, who either didn’t come home or came home and lost the battle eventually,” Post said.

Post is a Marine Corps veteran and served for four years. He said one life is too many.

“You go down the line, anybody in this group, (I) guarantee they know at least one person, whether it’s personally or know of somebody,” Post said.

You can read more from our friends over at KETV.com