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Last Wednesday morning, the Southwest Ga Veteran and Family Alliance held their monthly meeting. The meeting is held every fourth Wednesday at the Gilbert Gragg Library/Southwest Georgia Regional Library. The meeting detailed ways to reduce suicide among veterans and their families.

The Southwest Ga Veteran and Family Alliance started almost 2 years ago. The alliance is a way for veterans to “meet and greet” with other veterans in the community. The alliance has held many beneficial activities for veterans. Last year in September, the alliance held a Suicide Prevention Training. Next, they held a Narcan and Opioid Education Training in March, then a Veterans Resource Fair in April, and built and distributed resource folders in May.

The alliance wants to acknowledge that communication is key, and reaching out to others in similar situations is the best way to help. Aaron DaSilva, a veteran and realtor with Premier Group Realty, stated that isolation is a veteran’s worst enemy, and that it’s best for veterans to join other veterans so they can understand they are not alone.

Currently, the alliance is working on activities that involve engaging with local businesses to determine which businesses are veteran-owned, providing training for communities to understand veterans and their families’ culture and needs, and building gun lock boxes.

Additionally, there will be activities for the Veterans Weekend Celebration At Ease Camp Ground at 139, Wingate Road, on November 8; activities will include the Sunset Flag Retirement Ceremony at 5:30 pm. This ceremony is an event that disposes of retired flags in a dignified way after they have served their purpose. Also, there will be a Fundraiser for the Recovery Fire Department at 5:30 pm. The fire department will sell Boston Butt & BBQ Chicken dinner plates to raise funds for the fire station. Furthermore, the Caliber Band will play Classic Rock & Country Music from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

On November 9, there will be a First Veterans Grand Slam Fishing Tournament that will start at the “first safe light”. The tournament is to raise funds for wheelchair-accessible people to fish.  Also, there will be a 5k & Ruck March at 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, contact Patti Fabian at 518-524-4171.

If you are a veteran or know someone who is a veteran, the veteran’s “meet and greet” is held only the first Thursday at Ease Campground and Marina, 139 Wingate Road, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.