RANDLEMAN, N.C. — A cross-country project, a life-altering friendship and a pickup truck are drawing attention to the suicide rate among service members and veterans.
That cause is personal for Jared Ashley. It makes him think of his friend and U.S. Navy buddy, Jeffery “Ozzy” Otzwirk.
“He was a humble guy, very soft-spoken. But he was also a NASCAR fan, a big Richard Petty fan,” Ashley said.
Ashley saw his friend for the last time 23 years ago. Time hasn’t dulled the memory of learning Otzwirk had taken his own life, and Ashley knows many families across the country have experienced that heartbreak.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ most recent report on national veteran suicide prevention, 17 veterans a day died by suicide in 2019.
A few years ago, Ashley realized Otzwirk’s parents still had a memory of him in their Haugan, Montana, driveway – his 1983 Chevrolet Scottsdale pickup truck.
“His mama died of a broken heart,” Ashley said. “She couldn’t get rid of it, thinking that one day he’d come back and get it.”“His mama died of a broken heart,” Ashley said. “She couldn’t get rid of it, thinking that one day he’d come back and get it.”
Ashley realized his friend’s life could still change the lives of others. He joined forces with Petty’s Garage to bring the truck to North Carolina.
Once the truck is restored, it will tour the country to share Otzwirk’s story.
“We can maybe find some healing for a family that’s dealt with the same thing, or maybe change a service member or veteran’s mind about taking their own life,” Ashley said.
More information about the Ozzy’s Truck effort is available here.