BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – The American Legion Post 145 hosted its 4th annual veteran’s suicide awareness walk on Saturday morning in support of its ‘Be The One’ program.
Be The One is a program within the American Legion that strives to prevent suicide among veterans by educating those on how to check on veterans, listen to veterans and reach out when a veteran is struggling.
The 2.2 mile walk symbolized the estimated 22 veterans that lose their lives daily to suicide, according to organizers of the event. The walk started on the block of Marion Street through Martin Luther King Blvd. and visited the Bristol Veteran’s Memorial.
Paul Federow, a Vietnam era veteran, told News Channel 11 he participates in the annual event to bring awareness to what veterans like himself have experienced.
“The way that Vietnam veterans were treated when they got back from the war, horrors that they saw and were involved in Vietnam, it takes a toll on your mind,” Federow said. “It’s just really important to us that we can make an effort to try and solve this problem, and it’s good for the heart.”
American Legion Post 145 Commander, Butch Rhymer, said the event started years ago where he was among one of the walkers on the very first day it started. The event started with a handful of people, where over 60 people showed up today to walk the event.
Rhymer said the event has brought more awareness in suicide prevention as of today.
“It’s made a change, and especially in veterans’ suicide prevention,” Rhymer said. “It’s helped a whole lot. It’s just bringing awareness out to where people know some of the signs to look for and just, take care of their family members that are veterans or their friends.”
American Legion Post 145 Adjutant, Roy Davis, said from American Legion to veterans, help is available to those who are lost.
“This county has got a very high suicide rate is amongst veterans,” Davis said. “It struggles with the fact that once you’re in the military, you always have guidance. You always have something to do, some direction. When you get out of the military, you lose that.”
“We have support for people that are with struggles and have strife in their life and that we are here for anybody and anybody can come Be The One,” Davis said.
To get help through Be the One, call 9881. If you are not a veteran and in distress, call 988.
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