Empty Boots, Real Impact—One Loudoun Suicide Prevention Walk

Last Saturday gave us one of those blue-sky October mornings in Loudoun, where neighbors show up for each other. Several hundred of us gathered at One Loudoun for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness walk, and a few of us from Rally4Vets were honored to be there.

The rows of empty boots and the children’s handwritten letters stopped us in our tracks—quiet reminders of why this work matters.

Prevention isn’t only for experts. It’s for friends, coworkers, and teammates who notice when someone seems “off,” ask a simple “How are you—really?”, listen without fixing, and help connect them to support. Small check-ins can change big outcomes.

P.S. If you or someone you love needs help, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline—24/7, confidential. For veterans, dial 988, Press 1 to speak with someone with military service experience.