Archie Miles VFW Post 4724 • Elmwood

04/22/2026

Registration is still open for the Ruck 22 Memorial Walk. Register by Monday April 27th to be guaranteed a shirt. Registration will remain open until the walk starts. Shirts will be first come first served after the 27th. Register at www.vfw4724.org/registration.

We look forward to seeing you Saturday May 23rd.

The walk will take place on Saturday May 23, 2026, starting promptly at 7:30 AM. Registration for the walk (to guarantee a shirt) will be open until Wednesday, April 29th, 2026. Any registration received after this date will receive a shirt on first come, first served basis while supplies last.

04/01/2026

Registration forms are now available at Jordan’s Service Center, Country Financial- David Vaughan, Nighthawks Coffee and Farmer’s State Bank. You can also register at https://www.vfw4724.org/registration

See you Saturday May 23rd!

🇺🇸 RUCK 22 – ELMWOOD, IL 🇺🇸
May 23, 2026

22 miles. 10K. 2.2 miles.

You don’t have to go far—just show up.

👉 First time? You’re welcome here.
👉 Going for the full 22? Respect.

🔗 Register here:
https://www.vfw4724.org/registration

02/10/2026

Elmwood has always stood strong for its veterans 🇺🇸

This May, our community will come together once again for the Ruck 22 John Pettit Memorial Walk — honoring those who served and remembering those we’ve lost.

With the support of Miles VFW Post 4724 and our community, we are working to grow this event and ensure every veteran knows Elmwood stands with them.

Follow this page to stay updated and be part of something meaningful.

05/19/2025

We are five days from the Ruck 22 Walk! The walk will begin promptly at 7:30 from Central Park.

For those already registered, shirts can be picked up the morning of the walk, starting at 7:00 am in the park.

If you have not registered, you can register the morning of the walk. Shirts will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Thank you to everyone who has registered, donated or been a sponsor.

04/21/2025

Are you registered for our RUCK 22 walk? There’s still time! Registration papers are available at Farmer’s State Bank, Jordan’s and Country Financial -David Vaughan’s office. Or you can register on our website.

Join us on Saturday, May 24, 2025 for the 4th annual “Ruck 22: John Pettit Memorial Walk”, a community walk to bring awareness to veteran PTSD and su***de.

John Pettit was a 1997 graduate from Elmwood. He was a member of the Army Special Forces, completing three tours in Afghanistan. Like so many, not all of John’s wars were fought on the battlefield. Sadly we lost John on November 23, 2015.

Our first three years have been a huge success! Over 100+ walkers each year, raising over $23,000! Let’s make this year even bigger!

Proceeds from the walk will go to Freedom Paws Service Dogs from Chillicothe,Il; the John Pettit Memorial Scholarship and the Elmwood VFW.

Register before Wednesdayssday, April 30th to be guaranteed a shirt. Registration will stay open until 7:15 am the day of the walk; however, shirts will be limited and available on a first come first serve basis.

Registration forms are located on our website.

For more information or to get involved visit

Join us on the fourth annual "RUCK 22 WALK" to help bring awareness to veteran's suffering with PTSD and veteran su***de. On Saturday May 24th, 2025, we will walk to honor those who suffer silently, those we have lost and those we hope to help.

04/03/2025

Join us on Saturday, May 24, 2025 for the 4th annual “Ruck 22: John Pettit Memorial Walk”, a community walk to bring awareness to veteran PTSD and su***de.

John Pettit was a 1997 graduate from Elmwood. He was a member of the Army Special Forces, completing three tours in Afghanistan. Like so many, not all of John’s wars were fought on the battlefield. Sadly we lost John on November 23, 2015.

Our first three years have been a huge success! Over 100+ walkers each year, raising over $23,000! Let’s make this year even bigger!

Proceeds from the walk will go to Freedom Paws Service Dogs from Chillicothe,Il; the John Pettit Memorial Scholarship and the Elmwood VFW.

Register before Wednesdayssday, April 30th to be guaranteed a shirt. Registration will stay open until 7:15 am the day of the walk; however, shirts will be limited and available on a first come first serve basis.

Registration forms are located on our website.

For more information or to get involved visit

Join us on the fourth annual "RUCK 22 WALK" to help bring awareness to veteran's suffering with PTSD and veteran su***de. On Saturday May 24th, 2025, we will walk to honor those who suffer silently, those we have lost and those we hope to help.

05/25/2024

Thank you to everyone that helped make this day possible- participants, cyclists, sponsors, donors and volunteers!!! We couldn’t have done this without you!

A HUGE congratulations to our first ever group of civilians to complete the full 22miles.Way to go!

05/25/2024

Here are the active links referenced below:
Walking routes
www.vfw4724.org/resources
12 mile cycling
https://www.strava.com/routes/3221271782195414848
21 mile cycling
https://strava.app.link/f6er5xdFhJb
40 mile cycling
https://www.strava.com/routes/3221265522582657856

05/25/2024