Elizabeth Carmichael, a member of American Legion Auxiliary Junior Unit 716, hopes to raise awareness about the Legion’s veteran suicide prevention program.
Elizabeth Carmichael has been involved with the American Legion Family for more than half of her life. The 15-year-old has been a member of American Legion Auxiliary Junior Unit 716 in in Los Alamitos, Calif., and serves as the department’s honorary Junior Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation chairman.
As a member of the Juniors, she’s helped put together and distribute gift bags for veterans receiving treatment at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. She also organized a clothing drive for a U.S. VETS homeless shelter that collected around $12,000 in clothing, diapers and other items.
And on March 29, she will shift her focus to another veteran-related cause: Be the One, The American Legion’s veteran suicide prevention program.
At American Legion Post 833 in Long Beach – where her mother Amanda serves as manager and her father is a member of the Sons of The American Legion squadron – Elizabeth has organized a Be the One fundraiser that also will serve as a platform for veteran suicide awareness.
The fundraiser includes lunch and basket drawings, as well as live music. Elizabeth also will deliver remarks that share information about the Be the One mission.
“It’s spreading awareness,” Elizabeth said. “That’s more so what I want to accomplish within this passion project of mine. I want to spread awareness within everyone that is involved with the Legion.”
Elizabeth said that prior to Be the One, veteran suicide was a topic that didn’t get talked about enough. Learning about The American Legion’s Be the One program, “really hit close to home with me, because I’ve grown up around so many of these wonderful veterans. I’ve grown up around The American Legion atmosphere.
“So many of these veterans hold a close place to my heart. I’ve seen how their traumas can affect them. With Be the One, it’s a really nice approach to helping them.”
Amanda, a member of Unit 716, said Unit 833 does not have an ALA Juniors program, but said its members will be at the fundraiser in support of Elizabeth’s event.
“We’re extremely proud of her. We really are,” Amanda said. “She sleeps and breathes The American Legion.”
- Be the One