The Akronauts, The University of Akron’s award-winning rocketry team, is partnering with local veterans causes as part of an initiative called Project 22. This is part of a new team goal to raise funds and visibility for new cause each year.
The name Project 22 was chosen to represent the approximate number of veterans who commit suicide each day as reported in the VA’s 2012 Suicide Data Report.
The Akronauts participated in the Out of the Darkness Walk in 2019, a walk designed to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
Veterans causes are personal for team VP, Jonathan Davis, a sophomore in aerospace systems engineering. Jon was an aircraft electrician in the US Army from 2012-2018. He was responsible for the maintenance of avionics and electrical systems on the UH60 Blackhawk and CH47 Chinook and served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Egypt.
“For six years, I had a mission,” says Davis. “Once I left the military, I felt like I had no purpose. I was miserable, so I understand what vets go through when they come out. “Coming to 国产伦理 has given me a new mission, and I know the Akronauts will play a large role in seeing that mission through."
The team is planning on participating in the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Out of the Darkness Walk in Akron, a walk intended to change the culture of mental health, as well as volunteering at Freedom Farms, a local farm where vets can interact with horses as part of their own healing and therapy.
Akronauts team members stopped by Freedom Farms to learn more about their mission helping veterans.
In an additional show of support to highlight their support of veterans causes, this year’s rocket will be painted in occupational camouflage pattern (OCP). OCP is the current battle dress pattern worn by both The United States Air Force and The United States Army. The team works all year to design, build, and test their rocket before competition season in the spring. The team will debut their Project 22 rocket in April of 2020.
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