For veteran service organizations, Veterans Day is one of the most important holidays. For IAVA, we often celebrate by participating in the annual NYC Veterans Day parade. Because of the pandemic, IAVA held its first-ever virtual SAV March. The IAVA Support America’s Veterans (SAV) March is a first of its kind virtual parade across this beautiful country. IAVA partnered with Charity Footprints and asked our members to sign up to march across America; all individual parades combined will virtually take us from coast to coast for a combined 2,093 miles. IAVA’s DC team marched in DC, Vermont, and Ohio for a combined total of 30 miles. 

Jeremy Butler, IAVA CEO, marched over 27 miles across Manhattan. Beginning first at Madison Square, which is traditionally packed due to Veterans Day celebrations, and traveling to several memorials honoring veterans in NYC. Follow his full march here. 

IAVA EVP of Government Affairs, Tom Porter, started and finished his SAV March at the Capitol Building and spent the time in between visiting many of the monuments in DC. Follow along with his full march here. 

Government Affairs Director, Travis Horr, began his march at his first duty station, 8th & I, and traveled to the Korean War Memorial, the USMC War Memorial, and more. Follow along with his march here. 

Ryan Britch, IAVA Government Affairs Associate, chose to hike to the top of the tallest mountain in Vermont, Mount Mansfield. Follow his march here. 

Finally, Kaitlynne Hetrick chose to march at a nature preserve in her hometown. Follow her march here. 

Visit IAVA’s Twitter to see the more Veterans Day marches from across the country. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs released the 2020 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report on Thursday. This report concluded that 6,435 veterans died by suicide in 2018, which is a slight increase from 2017. The age & sex-adjusted suicide rate for veterans increased slightly from 27.3 per 100,000 to 27.5 per 100,000.

Once again, suicide death by firearm far outpaces any other means. 68% of veteran suicide deaths were due to a self-inflicted firearm injury, compared to only 48% of civilian suicide deaths. Interestingly, according to IAVA’s most recent annual member survey, 67% of IAVA members own a firearm. This correlation should be not be ignored and lethal means safety is a conversation that we need to have if we want to #combatsuicide.

IAVA’s flagship suicide prevention legislation, the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act (S. 785) was signed into law last month. This law will take big steps to improve mental health care and suicide prevention programs at the VA to include a new VA grant program for community non-profits aimed at finding and treating the majority of veterans who are not under the care of the VA. Additionally, this legislation will fund alternative therapy programs like acupuncture and hire more mental health professionals at VA.  

IAVA Has Your Back

We know that this time can be stressful and IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) is here to help! This program provides 24/7 peer support, comprehensive care management, resource connections, and can help with accessing your VA benefits. To get connected to a Veteran Care Manager for immediate help anytime, day or night, please call 855-91RAPID (855-917-2743) or fill out our online form. Our services are remote, free, and confidential and QRF is here for all veterans, regardless of era, discharge status, or location. If you are a veteran or a veteran family member facing challenges or have questions, QRF is here to help you get back on your feet and meet your goals.

If you are currently experiencing a crisis please contact the Veterans Crisis Line at 1.800.273.8255, and press 1. Alternatively, use the Crisis Text Line by texting “RISING” to 741741