FINDLAY, OH (WLIO) - From 7am to 5:20pm, volunteers took turns standing guard by a casket in honor of veterans lost to suicide and in hopes of saving the ones still battling mental health struggles.
Volunteers took turns standing guard by a casket in honor of veterans lost to suicide and in hopes of saving the ones still battling mental health struggles.
Allen-Kramp Wealth Management and the Hancock Veterans Services Office partnered for their 3rd annual Silent Watch to raise awareness of the veteran suicide epidemic. The event started in Ashland, Ohio, back in 2009, and organizers brought it to Findlay after losing one of their own.
22 pairs of boots with photos of men and women who lost the battle to PTSD or depression are also displayed.
"At Allen-Kramp Wealth Management, Rodney Kramp and Titus Allen worked with Gaven Smith here in Findlay, and Gaven unfortunately lost his battle in November of 2021. And so, with that loss, our organization just wanted to do something to honor him and honor the other fellow fallen here," explained Leah Cook, one of the organizers of the Hancock County Silent Watch.
Over 100 volunteers stood next to the casket in 22-minute shifts, representing the average of 22 veterans that take their lives each day. 22 pairs of boots with photos of men and women who lost the battle to PTSD or depression are also displayed.
Volunteers include veterans, their families, and even a few individuals who lost a veteran loved one to suicide themselves. They hope to show the public that the fight doesn't always end when you come home from your service.
Over 100 volunteers stood next to the casket in 22-minute shifts, representing the average of 22 veterans that take their lives each day.
"It's hell. War is hell. And they're going through it, and they come home, and nobody talks to them. And you know, Vietnam, they all treated them like crap. So, you got to know veterans care about other veterans, and we should care more about our veterans," said Cindi Brooks, who has many family members that have served or are serving in the armed forces. Brooks has volunteered in the watch for 2 years and plans to continue coming back every year.
Organizers and volunteers also want veterans to know it's okay to ask for help and that there's plenty of support available locally.
To learn more about the fight against veteran suicide or resources available, visit the Silent Watch website or the Hancock Veterans Service Office website.
"A lot of our veterans that we have, that we've been working with, if they're suffering from mental health or any type of post-traumatic stress disorder, just want their voice heard. We're here for them. We want them to know that we're here for them. It's not a taboo topic, and we want them to be able to reach out to their local Veterans Service Office and get the help that they need," Cook added.
To learn more about the fight against veteran suicide or resources available, visit the Silent Watch website or the Hancock Veterans Service Office website.
