OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A sea of gray and teal t-shirts filled the Ocala/Marion County Veterans Memorial Park on June 27 as the annual PTSD Walk took place—moved to the evening for the first time, though delayed an hour due to rain.

“This is an opportunity for the community to assemble, come one, come all to help stamp out PTSD throughout Marion County,” said Todd Belknap with Veterans Helping Veterans USA. “You have all sorts of people from all walks of life coming here even in the rain because they believe in supporting those who suffer from PTSD. This is the silent killer, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. What this initiative does today has surpassed all previous initiatives—by having it in the evening, we ratcheted up our marketing and awareness. We sold over $10,800 in t-shirts at $25 a pop. That’s a lot of t-shirts. On top of that, we were able to garner $17,000 in sponsorship. All the proceeds, every last dime of the $30,000, stays here in Marion County to stamp out PTSD.”

Scott Chase and Ocala Mayor Ben Marciano smile for a photo at the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
People gather around the Healing Hometown Heroes tent displaying T-shirts at the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
People gather near a Marion County Fire Rescue tent and memorial wall during the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
Two Ocala firefighters in gray shirts and navy shorts stand in front of a fire truck at a PTSD Awareness Walk event.
Smiling group of PTSD Awareness Walk participants pose together near the starting area with flags and a service dog.
Scenes from the 2025 PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala, where veterans, first responders, and community members came together on June 27 to honor those affected by trauma and promote mental health awareness through support, remembrance, and unity. Courtesy: Scott Chase/352today

PTSD remains a major challenge for those suffering and their families. Local organizations are taking a more proactive approach to ensure no one faces it alone.

“What Veterans Helping Veterans is doing, we’re not waiting,” Belknap said. “We’re going to take some of the money that we had donated to us as a result of this fundraiser and we’re launching a PTSD initiative called Project Reboot. It’s going to take place in September and we’re going to invite anybody who suffers from the ravages of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder—whether it be a veteran, first responder or civilian. You’re hurting with PTSD. We’re offering to take the hurt away at Vets Helping Vets at no cost. We’re going to have seminars, classes, peer support—you name it. We’re going to have both morning and evening sessions. We’re looking forward to helping people who know it’s okay to not be okay.”

The event opened with Landon Adams performing the national anthem. She’s made it a personal mission to support first responders and those dealing with trauma.

Two Ocala Fire Rescue members stand in front of a fire truck at the PTSD Awareness Walk.
Participants stand for the national anthem as a large American flag is displayed overhead during the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala, Fla., on Friday, June 27, 2025. The flag was raised by Ocala Fire Rescue to honor veterans and first responders.
Crowd of participants walking through teal and white balloon arch at PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
Large crowd gathered near vendor tents and shaded areas at the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
Woman and child order from The Krafty Kettle food truck offering lemonade and kettle corn at the PTSD Awareness Walk.
Smiling group of young men in PTSD Awareness Walk shirts pose in front of a crowd in Ocala.
Kona Ice vendor smiles from a colorful shaved ice truck at the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
Woman sings into a microphone while others stand respectfully during the national anthem at the PTSD Awareness Walk.
Veterans Helping Veterans and “Throw It Away” trailers parked on grass at PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
Veteran Capt. Petty in full U.S. Army dress uniform with medals at the PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala.
From U.S. Army Capt. Petty in full uniform to Logan Anderson, who sang the national anthem in honor of her firefighter father, the 2025 PTSD Awareness Walk in Ocala was filled with heartfelt moments and a shared mission to raise awareness for those affected by trauma. Courtesy: Scott Chase/352today

“I started as a young kid performing the national anthem all over the county,” Adams said. “Then my dad, when I was probably in middle school, became a prison guard, and it brought the trauma aspect and the severity of the job closer to home. Now he’s a firefighter for Sumter County. It’s always been a special place for me. I just wanted to help promote awareness. It’s personal to me—that’s the reason that I do it.”

The Marion County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed June 27 as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness/Teal Out Day.

“PTSD—most people kind of connect it to military, people who’ve been involved in combat,” said Commissioner Craig Curry. “It’s kind of a silent illness. It’s more of a mental illness that people hide in a lot of cases. It affects our first responders in a big way—and our community at large. Troubled marriages can even end up with a PTSD syndrome. It’s something that we’re trying to make people aware of across the community.”

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