MIDLAND, Texas —
All the proceeds from the American Legion Post 19’s Sunday Brunch fundraiser went to "Be the One" and "22 A Day," two organizations that bring awareness to veteran suicide.
“It's important and what they do is they let veterans know when they separate from service. You know, they're not alone, they're not forgotten," said Michael Simmons, first vice commander for Post 19. "There's a lot of them that get out. They would not talk to just anyone. They needed another veteran to talk to.”
Simmons said he’s seen veterans going through tough times benefit from spending time with organizations like the American Legion or the VFW.
However, the issue of veteran suicide is something that he feels shouldn’t be a seasonal conversation.
“The veterans hotline crisis line, it should be spoken about all year round. You know it's not something you wait till Memorial Day or some special day to bring up, veterans don't wait till a certain day to end their life," Simmons said. "It's something that should always be spoken about and drilled into our heads so that when that time do come, we think about it, and we reach out to whoever we need to reach out to.”
Simmons said everyone is welcome to events at the American Legion even if they aren’t a veteran or a family member of one. A show of support goes a long way for those going through tough times.
“Reach out on a regular basis, as families should and if that veteran isn't involved in a American Legion or VFW, just suggest it," Simmons said. "They'll come here, it's a great environment and you get to speak to and have conversations with other veterans and it makes a world of difference.”