By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
RAVENA — Each day, 22 veterans take their own lives.
The statistics for active military servicemembers are just as grim — according to a report by Boston University, Army soldiers are nine times more likely to die by suicide than in combat.
Military and veterans’ supporters in the Ravena VFW Post 9594 are working to build awareness of the issue and on Sept. 22 held a walk called Mission 22.
“Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day,” event organizer Mary Ellen Rosato said. “When their tour is over, the mission begins to help our veterans.”
Mission 22, the first event of its kind in Ravena, was held at the VFW Post in the village and drew walkers both from the VFW Auxiliary and from the community. Information was made available to walkers and those who might need support or assistance, and whatever information was not distributed at the walk is now available at the town and village offices, and at the library.
For Rosato, the issue of military and veteran suicides hit close to home when a colleague of her son took her own life after returning stateside.
“My son came home on the USS Reagan and when he came home, there was a young girl who hung herself,” Rosato said. “I’m also a Blue Star Mother and we send boxes overseas to let our veterans know that we care. We get a lot of letters back saying no one cared about them. That’s where a lot of the suicide issues come from — they don’t think anyone cares, so we have to make sure that they know.”
Mission 22 was designed to make people aware of the high rates of suicide among veterans and how they can help.
“Our goal is to build awareness of suicide, see if there is anyone who needs information, and people are also giving donations,” Rosato said. “We will send a box from the auxiliary overseas to people who might need a little something special.”
Rosato also worked with a colleague who died by suicide. Too often, she said, suicide is driven by temporary situations.
“It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Nancy Warner participated in the walk to show support for anyone who is considering suicide. September was Suicide Awareness Month.
“This is a very important event — we want to be supportive of [people considering] suicide, but for the military, all the more,” Warner said. “I never realized it was that big of an issue and I think a lot of other people don’t know either, so this is a very enlightening event.”
Town Highway Superintendent Daniel Baker brought his two children to participate in the walk to show support for veterans.
“I wanted to show them the significance and the importance of our veterans in this great country that we live in,” Baker said. “In my mind, there is nothing more important than veterans who served.”
