ARCC Veterans Business Network – 2023 Walk for Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention
On Wednesday, September 13th, 2023, at City Park, community members gathered to participate in the 2023 Walk for Veteran Suicide Awareness & Prevention. The morning had been soaked with rain, but as the day progressed, blue sky prevailed. Participants gathered near the gazebo in City Park, which was lined with veteran resource booths.
HicksStrong Inc. had a booth where Michael Hick explained why he was there, “We started HicksStrong after we lost our son… He was active duty Navy when he died by suicide on February 11th, 2019. After that, we realized how difficult it was for active duty military to get help… It’s just tragic, and we needed to turn our pain into a purpose. We connect active duty, and veterans, and military families with therapists via telehealth, and we cover up to eight sessions. After that, they can shift to self-pay at a discounted rate,” he said.
The event was MC’d by ARCC President Tricia Rogers, who welcomed everyone to the third annual walk: “The members of this group have worked tirelessly to not only build this event, I know that many of you were here last year, look at the size of this event from last year, the vendors our resource booths have doubled. Their hard work is evident,” she said.
Tricia introduced Sean Dion, the chair of the veterans business network and one of the founding members. He thanked the crowd for taking time out of their busy day and highlighting the growth of the event to featuring 20 booths, and also thanked the sponsors.
The rendering of the National Anthem was a show stopper by Charles Martin of USI Insurance. His deep voice resonated through the park with a reverence that was felt throughout the crowd.
This event was attended by local leaders Senator Dan Stec, Senator Jake Ashby and Assemblyman Matt Simpson. Senator Dan Stec said: “A lot of veterans through their service suffer a lot of mental health challenges and certainly depression challenges… We have a preventable but very real crisis when it comes to veterans committing suicide.”
Jake Ashby also spoke to the crowd: “Just a tremendous effort here… You see people continuing to live in isolation, and what a demonstration here in opposition to that… Your presence in someone’s life face to face is so meaningful and so impactful when they need you… It goes a long way. Just being present when someone is struggling, being there for them and trying to help them, you won’t forget that and they won’t forget that either,” he said.
The Keynote Address prior to the walk was given by Gold Star Mother, Cindy Roberts: “Our daughter, Sgt. Kristie Roberts, is one of the ’22-a-Day’ as the military calls them, who died by suicide… A life after the loss of a child, how can we get through each day? Every day is a struggle, everyday is a challenge, but I embrace all of you… Because of you, we have the strength to go on, to share these walks and try to educate folk to continue this… Helping each other, let’s try to erase that stigma of asking for help as a sign of weakness. With every step you take today and everyday, know that if you are not ok, that’s ok. It’s ok to ask those uncomfortable questions, and please educate yourself on where to turn for help. You matter. You all matter. And you are not alone.”