Commemorations called for by the Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalition for veterans who tragically took their lives post military service.
In Northern Kentucky, a coalition of service members, veterans, and their families are working tirelessly to reduce the alarming number of veteran suicides. The Northern Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and Families Suicide Prevention Coalition, whose mission is to bring together these groups and create relationships, is spearheading this initiative.
Deb Winkler, a member of the coalition, has a personal connection to the cause. Her son, Cpl. Matthew Winkler, was a Marine Corps veteran who served two tours overseas as a Senior Intelligence Specialist. After returning home, he struggled with PTSD and tragically took his own life, a result of serving in the military.
Winkler's goal, shared by the coalition, is to ensure that veterans lost to suicide are remembered during Memorial Day exactly the same as those who died while serving the country. The coalition aims to bring the number of veteran suicides down to zero, a challenging goal but one they are determined to achieve.
The coalition believes that death by suicide is 100-percent preventable with community support. They seek to provide resources and connections to veterans in need, offering education, awareness, and hope. Their efforts are focused on reducing veteran suicides and ensuring that veterans lost to suicide are not forgotten.
Each May, the United States honours veterans who died defending the country's freedoms. Unfortunately, 22 veterans die by suicide each day in the United States, amounting to 660 veterans lost each month. This is a staggering statistic that the coalition is committed to changing.
Doug Witt, a 13-year Army veteran, is a founding member of the coalition. Witt, like many veterans, understands the challenges faced by those returning from service and the importance of community support in overcoming them.
The coalition's efforts are making a difference. By building relationships and fostering collaboration among service members, veterans, and their families, they are creating a support network that can help prevent suicide. They are a beacon of hope for those who have served our country and are now in need of support.
As we remember and honour our veterans this Memorial Day, let us also remember those who have been lost to suicide. The Northern Kentucky Service Members, Veterans, and Families Suicide Prevention Coalition is working hard to ensure that no veteran is forgotten and that the number of veteran suicides is brought down to zero.
