Gov. Kelly Ayotte shakes hands with Jeffrey Ladieu after he completed his 222-mile run from the Candian border to Nashua. Courtesy photo

NASHUA – Earlier this month, Jeffrey Ladieu, a former U.S. Army Ranger and retired State Police captain, ran the length of New Hampshire to remember the 22 veterans who are lost to suicide every day.

His run began in Pittsburg on the Canadian border and ended 10 days later at Pheasant Lane Mall — 222 miles to the south.

“It’s you guys out here that got me through the 222 miles,” Ladieu said after completing the journey. “It’s the Granite Staters that got me through the Notch, the hills of Lancaster, in memory of those who are no longer with us. I run for all of them and I run for all of you. This run isn’t just about endurance, it’s about community, compassion and letting every veteran and first responder know that they are not alone.”

During the event, he raised more than $85,000 for veterans.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Pheasant Lane General Manager Jack Toscano joined Ladieu for the last two miles.

“All the money that Jeff and the whole team in the mall and everyone has come together to raise, it’s to help make sure that our first responders, our veterans, those who are our true patriots and heroes, they know we have their backs and that they know we support them and we know what they experience is not easy,” said Ayotte. “That’s brave. It’s brave to actually come forward and ask for help.”

During his time with the State Police, Ladieu was a member of the SWAT Team and commanded the Cold Case Unit. He is also a certified public manager, a LEAN Black Belt and a graduate of the Polygraph Institute at the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center.

Ladieu is now the executive director of Camp Resilience in Gilford, a nonprofit organization helping to support the social and emotional well-being of active military personnel, veterans, first responders and their families.