John J. Morris Post 62

 

This year’s 2024 membership card, Be the One, reminds us that the Number 1 issue facing the veteran community is suicide. It is estimated that between 17 and 22 veterans or servicemembers take their lives each day. That’s more than 6,000 annually. The rate of suicide for veterans is more than 50% higher than that of non-veteran adults.    

At its core, The American Legion is activating a national platform to reduce the rate of veteran suicide. The Be the One campaign will destigmatize asking for mental health support, creating opportunity for those with mental health issues to speak freely and get the support they need. How can you help? While this program is designed to help all veterans, we know that everyone responds differently to stresses, have different life experiences, and have varying results in types of treatment. However, the following are guidelines intended to provide help before a crisis situation develops. The American Legion encourages you to Be the One to talk with others about how you are feeling, ask for help when you know you need it, know there are millions of people ready to help you and remember your family and friends’ care.

The 2025 memberships are being processed as fast as I can; over 400 since last Friday (as of 8/9/24). For some of you, there will be a surprise inside your envelope .You can renew ONLINE by going to  www.legion.org/renew  and click “Renew Now” to safely and conveniently pay your  dues. There is also a new 3-year option (for 2025-2026-2027) @ $50 per year ($150). Please note that you won't get one card that has all three years on it. You are just pre-paying and will get the card as that year is released to the Post from National.

 

• Next Monday, it's @ $5,000+ on  8/12/24 since we had a winner a/o 7/29/24. Don't forget: there is an extra envelope added to the 54 envelopes with cards in them. This extra envelope will give the lucky person who selects it $500 - not bad, huh?