September is Veterans Suicide Awareness Month.  Today, Saturday, September 26 at James Park in Marblehead, OH volunteers took turns standing silent vigil for 20 minutes to display honor and respect to those veterans who lost their lives to suicide.  The Very Reverend Archpriest, Andrew Bartek took the first watch from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.  It is with hope that this small demonstration of respect will raise awareness for those veterans who struggle with depression and thoughts of suicide.

According to the Port Clinton News Herald

"Suicide Watch was started by Retired Master Sgt. Tim Chandler, a veteran of the United States Air Force and Ohio Air National Guard. Chandler formed the group in response to the suicide deaths of two veteran friends and his own struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

In the wake of the suicides, he realized there were few resources for hurting veterans, and he wanted to do something to bring awareness to veteran suicide. The first Silent Watch took place in 2009, and this year, Chandler is hoping an event will be take place in every Ohio county."

If you know a veteran who is struggling, information and resources can be found through the Veterans Crisis Line connects Service members and Veterans in crisis, as well as their family members and friends, with qualified, caring Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text messaging service.

Dial 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 to talk to someone or send a text message to 838255 to connect with a VA responder. You can also start a confidential online chat session at veteranscrisisline.net/get-help/chat.