The United States has been involved in active conflict in the Middle East since the 9/11 attacks. In that 15-year time frame, the number of veterans has grown to over two and a half million men and women.

These aren’t older soldiers who served their 20 years and are now enjoying retirement; these are young men and women who served a tour or two, and they come back permanently scarred physically and many times also mentally.

"It's turned me from a really alive, pretty happy person into somebody who is numb. I don't know how to feel anymore.” — Former Army Sgt. Michelle Saunders

Many of these young men and women come back alive, but missing limbs from injuries that would have cost them their lives in wars past.

Over half of those veterans are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. While only a small number reach out for help.

It's not just injury or PTSD, the homeless and jobless rates among veterans are some of the highest of any group in the United States.

The most heartbreaking statistic is 22 veterans take their life everyday. The organization 22kill.com is starting a campaign to get 22 million push ups videoed and posted on social media, not to raise money but awareness of the issue facing veterans.

We can not rely on the Veterans Administration to catch all the veterans who are considering suicide. We the friends, family and coworkers of these men and women have to be aware of the issues and be ready to help if need be.

22kill.com is working hard to raise awareness of this problem.

How the 22 push up challenge works:

Help us reach our goal to get 22 Million pushups – to honor those who serve and to raise awareness for veteran suicide prevention through education and empowerment.

Every pushup counts so don’t be shy to show your support for our veterans. You can do as many or few pushups as you can or choose. Whether it’s 1 or 100 in a row, we will accept them however they come. They can be assisted (on your knees), incline (on a desk/wall), or if you physically are unable to do any, we’ll even take air pushups.

Record your video. In the beginning of the video, make an introduction stating: Your NAME (and name of any organization that you may want to represent), WHY are you pushing and/or WHO are you are pushing for?

Example intro: “Hi my name is Curtis Granderson, outfielder for the NY Mets, three-time All Star, and founder of Grand Kids Foundation helping youth development through education and fitness. I’m about to do my 22 pushups for 22Kill to honor those who serve.”

Post it on Social Media. #(insert a number here)pushups #22KILL Add these two hashtags into your “public” post on Facebook /Twitter/Instagram/or in the video title on YouTube.

Examples:Facebook post, YouTube post, Instagram post, Twitter post. If you did five pushups you would enter: “#5pushups for #22KILL.” If you did 22 pushups, you would enter: “#22pushups for #22KILL."

Some of your favorite CBS celebrities have already risen to the challenge. Take a look here.

My family's contribution is to honor the memory of my brother Scott who served in the Marines and then reenlisted in the Navy after 9/11.

Becky Simmons and her husband, Jimmy (my nephew and niece) took the challenge (Becky did push ups like a boss in a dress).

Becky, her siblings and parents (my sister) organized a run in Kennesaw, Georgia called the Run for Wounded Heroes. They are some of the unsung heroes that work to raise awareness all year long. They raise thousands of dollars every year for organizations that assist veterans who are having trouble readjusting to civilian life or dealing with catastrophic injuries.

You might not think a video of you doing 22 push ups can make a difference, but if one person sees this challenge and is made aware that their family or friend may be suffering in ways they can't see then the challenge will be worth it. If we all get behind this and raise awarnes maybe next year the number will be zero where it belongs.