This past weekend, something extraordinary happened on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
Thousands gathered for Communion in America, a four-day worship gathering featuring 50 tents representing all 50 states and a historic communion table stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a powerful moment of unity, prayer, and purpose.
Aerial Recovery was honored to serve this event by providing security, but what happened there went far beyond logistics. It became an opportunity to share our mission and shine a light on a crisis that demands our attention.
During the event, Jeremy spoke to the crowd about the importance of works for the faithful: that our faith must be lived out in action. He then issued a challenge for everyone to join: the 82 Challenge.
Participants were asked to hold onto a pull-up bar for 82 seconds.
Why 82 seconds?
Because in America, a veteran commits suicide every 82 minutes.
As hands gripped the bar and arms began to shake, the weight of that reality set in. 82 seconds feels like an eternity when you're holding on. But if we can hold, they can too.
We need to hold on for them. We need to ask them to hold on. And we need to help them through programs like Heal the Heroes.
The response was overwhelming. Person after person stepped up to take the challenge, some succeeding falling short, but all deeply moved by what those seconds represented. Conversations were started. Eyes were opened. Hearts were changed.
This Is Why We Do What We Do
Aerial Recovery exists to Save Lives & Stop Evil. Our Heal the Heroes initiative provides a year-long healing program for struggling veterans and first responders, giving them purpose, community, and hope. Once they complete the program, they have the opportunity to train as Humanitarian Special Operators, deploying on anti-trafficking operations and disaster response missions around the world.
These heroes go from surviving to thriving. From being rescued to becoming rescuers.
But we can't do this work without you.
Will You Help Us Hold On Too?
Every 82 minutes, America looses another veteran. But together, we can change that trajectory. Your support directly funds:
The Heal the Heroes program that saves veterans' lives
Anti-trafficking operations that rescue the vulnerable
Disaster response missions that bring hope to communities in crisis
Training and equipping Humanitarian Special Operators
The 82 Challenge reminded us that holding on is hard, but it's worth it. And when we hold on together, we can carry the weight that feels impossible to bear alone.
Thank you for standing with us. Thank you for holding on. Thank you for believing that every life is worth fighting for.
