American Legion National, State & Regional Commanders visit KJDY

By on Monday, September 25th, 2023 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

JOHN DAY โ€“ American Legion National Commander Daniel Seehafer, Oregon District Commander Cory Brockmann, and District 10 Commander Jim Jerome were all on KJDYโ€™s Coffee Time Monday. National Commander Seehafer said heโ€™s been traveling the country with a mission of veteran suicide prevention:

โ€œItโ€™s not just a campaign. Itโ€™s not just an initiative, but itโ€™s really a mission of oursโ€”and that is called Be The One. Be the one to save one, and what that is, is to lower the number of suicide attempts, and just that understanding of suicide. We have family members who are out there, and even veteran familiesโ€”they donโ€™t need to take that step. We are here for them. โ€

Oregon Commander Brockmann said suicide impacts so many other people when it occurs:

โ€œResearch indicates approximately 125 people are impacted through a suicide. From the spouse, children, extended family members, co-workers, and such. The message in Be The One is reaching out to the family, and friends, and community that know that veteran might not be right, and help destigmatize asking for help. Itโ€™s a community problem, and itโ€™s going to take that community to make a difference in lowering veteran suicide[s].โ€

District 10 Commander Jerome said any local veterans interested in joining the legion can contact your closest post:

โ€œWeโ€™ve got Post 77 here in John Day, Post 106 in Prairie Cityโ€ฆand we have Harney County Post 63.โ€

Listen to the full podcast here: