The first is 22. According to Zurhellen, 22 represents the number of U.S. military veterans who commit suicide every day.

The second number is 40,387, which Zuhrhellen said is the number of homeless veterans on the street every night in the U.S.

Zurhellen said the ultimate goal is to bring both of those numbers down to zero.

That’s why the 50-year-old Poughkeepsie VFW Post 170 commander is walking across America for his service project called VetZero. He is raising awareness on veteran suicide and homelessness.

-Submitted photo
U.S. Navy veteran Tommy Zurhellen, of Poughkeepsie, New York, gives a thumbs up as he makes his way through Iowa on his journey across America to raise awareness for veteran suicide and homelessness.

The fundraising goal of the project is $40,387. The money will go to two nonprofit organizations: Vet2Vet, a peer mentoring program; and Hudson River Housing, which helps those who are homeless.

“These nonprofits are vital because government agencies aren’t doing these things,” Zurhellen said. “Without them, our vets would be in bigger trouble.”

Zurhellen started his journey in Portland, Oregon, on April 14. He will travel on foot 2,800 miles home to Poughkeepsie.

“A lot of people don’t know about these numbers (veteran suicide, homelessness),” he said. “I talk to people on the road every day — they think we are doing a good job for our veterans, but we are really not.”

Zurhellen served in the military from 1991 to 1997.

“I was on nuclear cruisers and was in the Persian Gulf twice during the ’90s,” he said.

Zurhellen used the GI bill to attend college. He holds a Masters of Fine Arts from the University of Alabama.

Zurhellen said even though he’s a veteran himself, he didn’t quite grasp the struggles of his fellow veterans until he began his work with the VFW about two years ago.

“I’ve seen firsthand how much we are not doing for our vets, even though we think we are,” he said. “And most people don’t have that firsthand experience, and I didn’t until I became commander of the VFW. Pretty much every day I get a call from a nonprofit, or the VA, or a veteran himself asking for help. And I knew this was something that had to be going on all over.”

Zurhellen hopes his walk will help others talk about issues like mental health.

“Removing the stigma from things like mental health, particularly for our veterans,” he said. “Our vets don’t always want to talk to anyone, and if they do it’s probably another veteran.”

He added, “We are trying to get these issues out in the open and get them out in the light. Once we do that, people will be more comfortable tackling these issues.”

Meeting other veterans has been the best part of Zurhellen’s travels, he said.

“I think the thing that has stood out is meeting individual veterans along the way,” he said. “At a gas station or restaurant and listening to their stories. Veterans don’t give up their stories to just anyone. Once they find out the mission when I meet them, they talk to me. That’s happened dozens of times along the way. I feel honored to hold those stories.”

Zurhellen’s plan is to walk 22 miles a day.

In recent days, he has made his way into Iowa.

He said he’s encountered some of Iowa’s Freedom Rocks, which are decorative stones in each of Iowa’s 99 counties that pay tribute to America’s military and its veterans.

“I am really impressed that all the counties in Iowa have a Freedom Rock,” Zurhellen said. “I think all the states should do that. It’s a really great idea.”

On Friday, Zurhellen was walking from Early to Sac City.

He hopes to be in Dubuque on July 15.