Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, help is available. Call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Veterans can press 1 after calling 988 to reach the Veterans Crisis Line, or text 838255 for support.
MOORHEAD — Advocating for veterans’ mental health by taking a long, weight-bearing walk.
The Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation
made a full-day trek from Moorhead to Detroit Lakes on Thursday, May 21.
It’s called “rucking,” symbolizing the heavy emotions veterans face when they return home from service.
A journey that started from the Moorhead American Legion ended at the Detroit Lakes Veterans Memorial more than 12 hours later.
They’re taking part in a military activity called “rucking,” which is hiking with extra weight carried on your back.
“A bunch of people use 22 pounds because of the 22 vets that take their own life every year, so that’s the symbol of where we go; we just continue to move forward,” said John Dalzeil, ambassador for the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation.
Their walk is in memory of Brady Oberg, an Afghanistan veteran who died by suicide in 2015 following his battle with post-traumatic stress. His dad says veterans’ mental health is just as important now as ever.
Brady Oberg grew up in Ulen, Minn., and served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. After coming home, he faced challenges assimilating to his new life, and he died by suicide Aug. 6, 2015.
Special to Forum News Service
“We have to do a better job being aware of what goes on, and most people can help. Everybody knows somebody. Just don’t be scared to help,” said Russell Oberg, Brady Oberg’s father.
2026 marks nine years of doing the walk, which will feature a return trip Friday morning from Detroit Lakes back to Moorhead.
As tough as the act of rucking may be, it’s designed to raise awareness for those who couldn’t bear the emotional weight of returning to civilian life.
“We use this forum, as rucking, to show the toughness and how hard it is, to show that it’s tough, yes, but everybody can do it. We can do it, we can show solidarity,” said Dalzeil.
Just as Memorial Day honors the lives of soldiers no longer with us, they hope people can keep memories of those like Brady alive while aiming to prevent the next loss of life.
“We come from a mindset that you die twice in this world: once physically, and the second time is when people stop talking about you, stop saying your name,” said Dalzeil.
Russell Oberg, father of late Afghanistan veteran Brady Oberg, speaks with WDAY during the Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation’s ruck walk in Moorhead on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
Sam Weber / WDAY
“You might have a chance to help somebody. Just visit with some people, it’s that simple,” said Russel Oberg.
They’re inviting the public to join them Saturday morning, May 23, for a walk from the Moorhead American Legion to the veterans cemetery in Harwood.
They’ll leave Moorhead at about 8 a.m., with a short ceremony in Harwood to follow.
Isak Dinesen joined WDAY-TV as a reporter in September 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist at WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin for three years. He graduated from NDSU in 2020, majoring in Journalism and minoring in Sports Communication at MSUM.