Push-ups to Honor Memorial Day

The Harcum College community chose to celebrate the Memorial Day holiday by helping to raise awareness of veteran suicide. Recent statistics claim that every day approximately 22 veterans succumb to suicide — losing their personal battle to invisible wounds of war. That's nearly 8,000 veterans a year!

Many non-profit military support groups like Active Heroes and 22 Kill are raising awareness of this startling statistic by asking friends to take the 22 Push-up Challenge.

Harcum's own President, Dr. Jon Jay DeTemple, a veteran himself, was among the participants in the Push-up Challenge. DeTemple and his son JJ completed the challenge in memory of DeTemple's late wife, who was lovingly referred to by her family as "Mama Duck". The Harcum community is confident she is still watching over them and all the men and women in uniform.

Other Push-up Challenge participants included Brittany Clark, Head Women's Basketball Coach and CJ Scott, Assistant Men's Basketball Coach. Asia Timmons, a student and participant remarked, " For me, Memorial Day means remembering the people who died for our country in the armed forces. I have family members who are retired from the military and cousins who are currently serving, so this day is close to my heart!"

Harcum challenges other area colleges, the Lower Merion Police and Fire Departments, and other friends to also complete the challenge. On this Memorial Day as you remember the fallen, please also remember the falling.

This is not the first time Harcum has been involved in suicide awareness. For the last two years they have been sponsors of the Out of Darkness Campus Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Follow Harcum's Push-up Challenge participants on Facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/HarcumCollege/.