Post 362 in Kennan conducted the 2.2-mile walk with community members to bring awareness to veteran suicide.
American Legion Post 362 in Kennan, Wis., held its first Be the One walk on Sept. 20 in support of the Legion’s mission to stop veteran suicide and destigmatize asking for help. Nearly 50 American Legion and community members from Price County, and as far away as Green Bay, walked 2.2 miles for the estimated number of veterans who die by suicide daily.
“Personally, I know military veterans who have committed suicide,” said Post 362 Commander Rosanna Bogle who helped organize the walk. “September is Suicide (Prevention) Awareness Month, and we wanted to get people to start talking to each other and to spread the word that it is okay to ask for help.
“We just need people to understand that they can come out and they can talk to us,” Bogle shared with the Price Country Review. “They can talk to any veteran and we can get you to any place that (has) help.”
Following the 10 a.m. walk start, food trucks were available, and 14 gift baskets were raffled off thanks to Auxiliary Unit 362 collecting donations from local businesses.
Between the raffle baskets, registered walk participants and monetary donations from area businesses like Precour Chiropractic, Kennan/Catawba Lion’s Club and Brantwood Credit Union, Post 362’s Be the One walk raised just over $2,000. The money will benefit the Department of Wisconsin’s’ Troops and Family Support Program. And Bogle will present the check to Department Vice Commander Larry Larson at the 11th District meeting on Oct. 4 in Park Falls.
Post 362 already has a date for the 2026 Be the One Walk – Sept. 12.
“We feel next year, and the following years can only get bigger and better,” Bogle said. “Conversations have already started with adding first responders to the event also.”
If your post, district or department is looking to host a Be the One event, resources are available here to help you get started.
- Be the One