LIMA, OH (WLIO) - In front of the Allen County Courthouse, volunteers could be seen standing in silence to raise awareness of veteran suicides.
Local veterans and volunteers gathered in solemnity beside a coffin draped with the American flag. They aimed to draw attention to the alarming fact that 22 veterans commit suicide daily. The silent vigil lasted over seven hours, starting at 9:30 a.m. and concluding at 4:30 p.m. The event served as a tribute to the fallen and a call to action to prevent suicide among veterans.
"Suicide is a big deal anyway, but with veterans, sometimes they don't know where to go or who to turn to. So, we're doing this not only to bring awareness to veterans to let them know that we stand with them and that they have somewhere to go and somewhere to turn but also to family members, loved ones who need to be aware that this is happening," stated Tamara Wilson, executive director of the Allen County Veterans Services Commission.
The Silent Watch was organized by the Allen County Veterans Services Commission, which assists veterans and their families with individual concerns. The commission encourages veterans to use their local office for help and support, free of charge.
