Fort McCoy brigade holds Ruck March raising awareness for sexual assault

SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) – Local soldiers are raising awareness for sexual assault survivors.

Fort McCoy’s 181st Multi-Functional Training Brigade held a Ruck March to bring attention to sexual assault, at Sparta’s Memorial Park Friday.

The brigade’s sexual assault response coordinator Sgt. Shawn Settles says soldiers marched for more than five miles with donated items in their bags.

“On the way through the middle of town, we had some school kids come out and chant USA as we were walking by,” Settles said. “And community members are pulling over, parking, taking pictures and videos, and waving to us. So, I think so far it’s been a good reaction. Hopefully, we didn’t cause too many traffic jams today.”

After the march, they gave those items to local advocacy programs.

Those items include paper towels, cleaning supplies, and personal hygiene items.

Friday was the brigade’s second annual sexual assault awareness Ruck March.

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