VA’s National Buddy Check Week starts Oct. 16; podcast guests discuss their documentary on a small Ohio town’s battle against opioid addiction through fitness; a veteran mother creates a safe space for healing for mothers who lost their military child to suicide; and more.
1. Check on your fellow veterans
Since The American Legion’s Buddy Check program began in 2019, Legionnaires have re-engaged with long-lost friends, brightened an older veteran’s day with a phone call, and provided support to veterans who needed assistance but were too proud to ask.
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) first National Buddy Check Week is Oct. 16-20. The American Legion will be partnering with VA in a kickoff webinar on Oct. 16 to highlight the importance of making connections. Join the webinar here.
“I’m asking all American Legion members to participate in National Buddy Check Week,” said National Commander Daniel J. Seehafer. “Call up someone you served with and reminisce about the good times. It’s good for the soul. Reach out to an older veteran in your community and ask if there’s anything you can do for them. Maybe it’s picking up groceries, doing a little yardwork or just talking. It all matters.”
Your Buddy Check tools: American Legion National Headquarters has updated the Buddy Check resource kit available here and created Buddy Check door hangers here.
2. A healthy take on the opioid crisis
After serving two tours in Iraq, former Army Intelligence Officer Dale King in 2007 returned to Portsmouth, Ohio, to find the opioid epidemic had devastated his hometown. At that time, fatal drug overdoses were the leading cause of accidental death in Ohio, with nearly 80% of cases resulting from fentanyl.
King started PSKC CrossFit gym and offered job opportunities to those in recovery, an unorthodox strategy that took on fentanyl with fitness. The result is one of the biggest comebacks in small-town America history.
On this week’s American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast, co-executive producers King and Chase Millsap talk about “Small Town Strong,” their documentary film about the small Ohio town’s battle against opioid addiction.
Keep listening: On the podcast this week, other topics of discussion include: the world’s toughest sandwich; Special Forces and bathroom breaks for women; Buddy Check Week plans; and a walking routine boost with rucking.
3. Caring for mothers of veteran suicide
Michele Ladd is a mother to two veteran sons who understands the invisible wounds of war and the often-difficult transition from military to civilian life. This understanding inspired her to travel the country six years ago in an RV to help other veterans heal. Her travels have taken her to more than 50 American Legion posts among other veteran service organizations, and over 175,000 miles.
During her travels, Ladd met mothers who lost their military son or daughter to suicide. This inspired her to care for these mothers so she started a faith-based private Facebook group called Mothers of Veteran Suicide that offers support and a safe space to grieve. Today, there are 160 mothers in the group.
Ladd is now touring the country in a new RV – Hope Mobile – that features butterflies with the names of veterans lost to suicide. She has also started retreats to bring moms from the Facebook group together. The American Legion spoke with Ladd about how Mothers of Veteran Suicide started, how the Facebook group provides healing, the retreats being held and how mothers can get involved. Read her story here.
Help prevent veteran suicide: Through the American Legion’s Be the One mission to reduce the number of veteran suicides and eliminate the stigma to ask for help, resources are available to help in this important cause.
4. Veterans Day callout
American Legion posts, districts and departments observe Veterans Day, Nov. 11, by participating in or hosting parades, luncheons, ceremonies and more. The American Legion National Media & Communications Division is looking for potential coverage opportunities.
If your post, district or department is hosting, sponsoring or participating in a Veterans Day event, please share it with us. Email sbrooks@legion.org with details that include the time, date, location and what the event will entail.
A message for Veterans Day: A prepared guideline Veterans Day speech is available for download here. It is only a guide; posts are encouraged to tailor it to their respective ceremony or event.
5. Legion’s impact in September
September for The American Legion was a big month for Flag Code inquiries and Operation Comfort Warriors grants, while the Legion’s Tango Alpha Lima podcast shattered its single-month record for audio downloads. And Alex Palou finished a dominant season behind the wheel of The American Legion’s Be the One car to capture the NTT INDYCAR Series championship Sept. 10.
· 34,843 – New monthly record for Tango Alpha Lima audio downloads, shattering the previous record of 12,098.
· 70 – U.S. Flag Code inquiries handled by the national Americanism Division in September.
· $36,894.69 – Amount in American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors grants issued to 13 recipients in September to provide comfort items, recreational experiences and other amenities for recovering military personnel or qualified disabled veterans
Share your impact: The American Legion wants to hear how your post, district or department is making a difference in your community for veterans, their families and children and youth. Share your impact on legiontown.org.
- News