Post 677 in Ohio has made Buddy Checks a priority, along with promoting Be the One. A chance encounter paved the way – and may have saved a life.
An encounter through making Buddy Checks brought together members of American Legion Post 677 in Lithopolis, Ohio, with local U.S. Navy veteran Ron Hiles at a critical time in the veteran’s life. It started a three-year relationship that saw Hiles become a frequent visitor to the post over the next three years before he passed away last March at age 86.
And now, Hiles’ legacy is being carried on through the post’s Be the One program that aims to reduce veteran suicide.
For years, Hiles operated the Mason Mobile Military Museum, which was housed in a trailer that visitors could physically step inside to view photographs, equipment, memorabilia and artifacts representing multiple generations of military service. Hiles had gotten to a point where he no longer could travel around with the trailer, so Post 677 voted to buy it from him. And now, in addition to still serving as a mobile museum, the outside of the trailer features prominent Be the One branding. The post displays the trailer at its car shows and at community event – most recently during Lithopolis Honeyfest, which typically draws thousands of visitors.
It was an opportunity to share information about The American Legion’s veteran suicide prevention mission with those both in and outside of the veteran community – as well available resources and benefits available to veterans. Post 677 also staged a clothing drive during the festival to provide items for veterans receiving care at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. (STORY CONTINUES BELOW)
“It’s gotten people asking, ‘What is Be the One?’” Post 677 Commander Laura Blake said. “We ask if they know what the Legion is about. But our biggest thing isn’t recruiting people for our post this year. It’s about, ‘When’s the last time you talked to your friend? When’s the last time you checked in with your buddies?’ And if they’re not a veteran, then it’s, ‘When was the last time you talked to a veteran?’ We’re trying to share that information.”
The trailer came about because of the first interaction with Hiles, who recently had lost his longtime wife.
“We were making our (Buddy Check) phone calls and visiting veterans that we hadn’t seen,” Blake said. “Ron had just lost his wife. We stopped in to check on him, see what’s going on. We didn’t’ really know him at the time. He was really kind of sitting (at home) waiting to die. That’s what he told us, because he missed his wife. He and his wife did everything together.
“Not only did we talk to him for hours, but he started showing up to the post and became a staple. He was everybody’s favorite guy. He had a major impact on our post during the three years he came to it.”
Buddy Checks are a staple for Post 677’s members. Blake said her goal has been “to get outside of the (post’s) four walls and into the community more.” Through its Buddy Check program, the post is showing its there for those who may feel lost after they get out of the military.
“When you get out of the military, you’re on your own,” Blake said. “I still question why it’s not on the checklist when you (transitioning) out of the military that if you need help or support, reach out to your local VFW or American Legion. Whatever organization.”
It didn’t take long for Blake to see the impact of the Buddy Checks. “When I started doing things that weren’t canteen-related or bingo-related, when I started visiting people and talking to them on the phone … I’ve seen what it does for them,” she said. “We just need for them to not get lost. There are too many of them who do not know that they are thought of, or that there is a place for them to go if they just need a place to sit.
“When you stop by and they open that door, they are smiling. They just want to be able to share their story and have somebody to talk to and know that they are thought of. They appreciate that we’re thinking about them. Seeing them smile and knowing that they know that they can reach back out and make a call if they need support means a lot to me.”
- Buddy Check