Canoe with mission to stop soldier suicide now in Superior at the Bong Center

The canoe is on the move.

It’s wrapped with the message Stop Soldier Suicide, and will be heading down the Mississippi River starting in June.

Paddling will be Frank Lachinski, a veteran. Accompanying him will be Dave Hardy, a fellow veteran.

Both are from Itasca County, and have personal connections to this cause.

They’ve been bringing the canoe to different veterans organizations, and have received numerous donations from people and groups.

“We are so grateful,” shared Lachinski. “People have opened up their hearts and their wallets.”

Hardy, who lost his son to suicide a year ago, added, “You don’t realize how many people are impacted by suicide, until you start talking to them. As a father, this is what I need to do to keep my son’s legacy alive.”

Supporters have been signing the canoe, and now are signing the paddles.

The canoe is going to be at the Bong Center in Superior through Thursday.

To donate to the Senior Airman David C. Hardy Memorial: https://stopsoldiersuicide2023.funraise.org/fundraiser/david-hardy

To donate to the Frank Lachinski site: https://stopsoldiersuicide2023.funraise.org/fundraiser/frank-lachinski