Virginia Post 284 hosting Be the One 5K on April 25, when it invites its community to learn more about The American Legion Family.
Rita Feasenmyer knows firsthand how mental health issues can take their toll. A close family member has gone through those, leading to thoughts of suicide.
That’s why Feasenmyer, the president of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 284 in Colonial Heights, Va., feels so strongly about The American Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention program. And it’s why she’s decided to incorporate it into Post 284’s American Legion Family Day on April 25.
In October 2022, The American Legion National Executive Committee passed Resolution No. 7, American Legion Family Day. The resolution established an American Legion Family Day to be observed annually on the last Saturday of April — this year falling on April 25.
For American Legion Family Day, posts are encouraged to open their doors to members of their community for the day to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members, Legion Riders and American Legion Auxiliary. The day is also an opportunity to bring awareness to the organization’s Be the One mission to reduce the rate of veteran suicide and destigmatize the need to ask for help – an opportunity that Feasenmyer seized. As part of the day, Post 284 will host a Be the One 5K for members of the community.
“I think I have gotten so involved (with Be the One) because of (a family member) that has suffered from mental health issues and suicidal tendencies,” Feasenmyer said. “It’s just something that I feel like I need to do. That’s my personal story. I don’t put it out there that much because a lot of people don’t know. But it being the initiative of The American Legion is wonderful.
“Mental health does not get the support it needs. These people do not get the support they need. This is just to bring that awareness.”
Post 284’s American Legion Family Day is a collaboration between all of the post’s facets of the Legion Family and will includes food, activities for children and information about the Legion Family. But Feasenmyer said other organizations, such as Kiwanis and Optimist, also have been invited to participate as well.
“I just thought it was important for our post that we have a signature event every year that people look forward to,” Feasenmyer. “My goal is to bring everybody together so that we can feed off each other. But at the same time, we’re going to have a booth set up with the Be the One initiative and information. We’re going to have a poppy display set up. We’re going to have a Month of the Military Child display.”
The 5K will take place in the morning and will be followed by a brief program that will include remarks from Colonial Heights Mayor T. Gregory Kochuba, as well as a local youth who has experienced mental health issues.
“We thought that would be great to resonate with some of the kids that might be there that are dealing with the same thing,” Feasenmyer said. “I think people don’t want to reach out for help because they might be embarrassed.”
Unit 284 also will use the event to honor a few locals, including three first graders who saved their teacher from choking late last year, as well as to honor a local youth who made 40 homemade Christmas cards to send to veterans.
“We want the parents and all of these children to know, ‘Hey, being a good citizen, there are rewards to it’,” Feasenmyer said. “We’re just trying to let people know what we do. Yes, our main focus is we are here for our veterans and our servicemembers, but we’re also here for the community. For the children.”
- Be the One