As Memorial Day approaches, the Rhode family from East Texas is reminding their community of the holiday’s true significance—honoring those who served and those lost. On May 22, Barbie Rhode participated in a walk in Tyler, Texas, to raise awareness about veteran suicide, carrying Mission 22 flags in memory of her son, Sgt. Cody Bowman.

Mission 22 and Veteran Suicide Awareness

Mission 22 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting U.S. military veterans and their families, with a strong focus on suicide prevention. Participants in the walk covered 2.2 miles, symbolizing the mission’s effort to highlight this critical issue. For Rhode, the event holds deep personal meaning.

“We’re doing this walk today, because not only do we need to raise money, but we need to raise awareness,” Rhode said. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans die by suicide at a rate more than one and a half times higher than non-veteran U.S. adults—a reality that hit home for the Rhode family after the loss of their son.

Remembering Sgt. Cody Bowman

Sgt. Cody Bowman served in the military and lost his left hand in a blast in Germany. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, he often reassured his family that he was okay. However, in 2019, the Rhode family received devastating news of his passing from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Until we lost our child, we had no idea about this problem, no clue,” Rhode shared. In the years since, she and her husband have joined Mission 22, sharing Cody’s story to prevent other families from experiencing similar loss.

A Call to Action

Events like the walk serve as both a tribute and a call to action, emphasizing the need for greater support for veterans in the community. “I hope everybody knows that just walking a few steps, even if you don’t do the whole 2.2 miles, it touches us. It means the absolute world,” Rhode expressed.

As Memorial Day nears, Rhode hopes people will remember the sacrifices made by service members like her son. “They signed their name on that dotted line to give their life for our freedoms,” she said. With every step taken, families like the Rhode’s ensure those sacrifices are never forgotten, while fighting to bring hope and support to others who need it most.

Original reporting: CBS19 / KYTX (Tyler) — read the source article.