Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike Week

​Mayor Teri Johnston and the City Commission, during the recent commission meeting, declared the week of December 5th as Irreverent Warriors Key West Silkies Hike Week.
The Irreverent Warriors organization is a force that unites the veteran community and drives healthy culture within its members. Through creative engagements, events, and strong veteran-based support networks they are known as the catalyst for improving the veteran outlook.
The organization’s mission is to bring veterans together using humor and camaraderie to improve mental health and prevent veteran suicide.
During Silkies Hike Week you will see veterans dressed in the tiniest of shorts (aka silkies), and on Saturday, December 10th hundreds of veterans will hike throughout Key West helping veterans connect with the aim of eliminating the 22 veteran’s suicides a day.
The proclamation was accepted by Rodney Martin, Petty Officer Second Class, United States Navy and local coordinator.
“On my last ship,” he said, “we lost three sailors to suicide and one of them was close to me. Twenty-two a day is a very high number. This organization gives veterans a chance to come out of isolation for a good day of positive vibes, good times, and laughter and just to let them know they’re not alone.”
Petty Officer Martin accepted the recognition wearing his sillkies, the military workout garb.
“Don’t be shocked or alarmed,” he said, “when you see 100 veterans dressed exactly like this because it’s for a good cause!”