Veterans issues are hot topics in the 2016 presidential race. Both Republicans and Democrats are arguing over the treatment of former servicemembers when they return from combat and how to improve their quality of life. A group of students from the University of Delaware got tired of hearing the arguments and seeing no action, so they decided to do something about it themselves. They took the politicians' words and put them into action.
On July 26, six students, all of whom met in the university's Reserve Officer Training Corps program, began a 16-day run to raise money for veterans groups. The students began in Newark, Delaware, and ended in Houston, Texas. USA Today reported that the journey took them over 1,700 miles, which meant that they were running an average of 15 miles per day. Along the way, the group raised over $13,000.
The students donated the money to Got Your 6 and Team Red White and Blue, but their philanthropy did not stop there. When they completed the run, the students joined forces to start a nonprofit called Reviresco, which is dedicated to improving the relationships between civilians and military members.
All of the founders of Reviresco are aspiring military officers, but they founded their organization with selfless intent. For them, it was more about creating a legacy to respect and a culture of mutual understanding.
"We're not doing it for ourselves but we're doing it for the generations of veterans now and the generation of veterans that come after us," Micah Petersen, the president of the nonprofit, told USA Today.
Petersen and the other members hope their organization will inspire change in the way society and politicians treat veterans. Reviresco's website allows other universities to host a fundraising run or obstacle course on their campuses.