The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary Post 1384, in partnership with the City of Long Beach, will host its second annual Veterans Suicide Awareness and Prevention Walk on Saturday.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon along the Long Beach Boardwalk at Grand Boulevard, near Beach Burger.
“Suicide is a ‘silent crisis’ among our Veterans, while only five percent of our federal budget funds all programs for veterans,” Jackie Ervolina, president of VFW Auxiliary Post 1384, said. “Our annual walk allows us to support programs that specifically target mental health issues such as PTSD and depression, which can lead to suicidal thoughts haunting those who have served. What better place than our beautiful Long Beach boardwalk to give everyone who cares a chance to help.”
The VFW’s mission is to support veterans, their families, and active military personnel. Throughout the year, the VFW and its auxiliary collaborate on various initiatives. Individuals with relatives—whether a father, mother, sister, brother, grandfather, or grandmother—who have served in combat zones are eligible to join the auxiliary and contribute to these vital efforts.
Established in 1924, VFW Post 1384 is dedicated to rehabilitating needy and disabled veterans, assisting widows and orphans, and promoting Americanism through education in patriotism and community service.
The walk aims to raise awareness for veteran suicide, a critical issue that claims the lives of 22 veterans each day. Participants are encouraged to make a suggested donation of $25, with all proceeds going towards VFW suicide prevention programs.
The event also seeks to educate the community about the growing crisis affecting military personnel, driven by factors such as socio-economic challenges, mental illness, PTSD, service-related disabilities, and employment struggles.
“We want to draw attention to the fact that studies show veterans are four times more likely to die by suicide compared to the general public,” Dan MacPhee, commander of VFW Post 1384, said. “This walk gives us the chance to take action and help stop this tragedy.”
By raising awareness of the challenges veterans face and supporting suicide prevention efforts, the walk honors those who have served. “They marched for us... We walk for them!”
Veterans are at a 57 percent higher risk of suicide than Americans who haven’t served in the armed forces, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In each of the past 20 years, there have been more than 6,000 veteran suicides.
