By Ryan Berry

DailyAdvocate.com

GREENVILLE — Veterans coming to the fair on Wednesday were honored by the Darke County Agricultural Society with free admission and the annual Veteran’s Parade in front of the Grandstand. This year’s parade featured veteran groups from across the county. Darke County Veterans Services gave each veteran a special t-shirt to recognize their service.

Chris Evans, 3rd District State of Ohio American Legion Commander from Post 707 in Englewood, was the featured speaker. Evans spoke directly to veterans and their families and friends and addressed the issue of suicide amongst veterans. He said the American Legion has strongly advocated for veterans and the prevention of suicide in this group of people for a century. “There is no feat or accomplishment more important to our organization than the prevention of veteran suicide,” he said. He shared that the number of veterans that have taken their own lives since the 9-11 attack far surpasses the number of deaths in the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War and the Global War on Terror combined.

“A veteran is 50 percent more likely to take their own life than a person who has never served in the military. This must stop,” said Evans. He said that although the statistics on veteran suicide fluctuate, there is really only one number that is important to the American Legion and that is the number one. “Be the one to stop the veteran from taking his or her life. If we save one, collectively we will all save thousands,” emphasized Evans.

He shared that Be the One is a mission of the American Legion. “We can accomplish this mission by destigmatizing the issue of mental health. Veterans value courage and it takes courage to ask for help. Through our Buddy Checkout Program, the American Legion does not sit back and wait to be asked. We take a proactive approach and ask veterans if they are okay,” he said.

He told family and friends to listen and pay attention to the response the veteran gives and if they are struggling or in crisis, encourage them to call or text the 988 crisis line. He said for a better outcome, watch the veteran make the call and follow up with the veteran to make sure they connect with the needed resources. “Everyone here can Be the One,” he added.

Bruce Shaw, outgoing American Legion commander for Darke County, shared that 56 years ago he landed in Vietnam and 55 years ago he came home. “I wasn’t a little farmer from Darke County anymore. I wasn’t the same person. We weren’t well thought of. There weren’t any parades. There were no thanks. It was tough. About seven years ago, a young man walked up to me, I didn’t know the man, shook my hand and said thank you sir for serving your country. It changed my life. I became a better father, better friend, a better person,” said Shaw. He encouraged those in attendance when they see a veteran to thank him or her.

To contact Daily Advocate Editor Ryan Berry, email [email protected].