STORM THE HILL: VETERANS CALL FOR ACTION TO STOP SUICIDES

By Miriam Raftery

April 16, 2014 (Washington D.C.) –Veterans from across America converged on Capitol Hill on March 31, meeting with members of Congress and the administration. They sought help to prevent suicides among returning veterans.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association planted 1,896 flags on the National Mall, one for every veteran who has died by suicide so far this year alone.  The Veterans Administration estimates that 22 veterans die by suicide every single day.

The Day of Action also included a press conference with Senator Walsh, who introduced the Suicide Prevention for America’s Veterans Act legislation.  Vets are also asking President Barack Obama to sign an executive order to help stop veterans’ suicides.

The veterans’ group is asking the public to urge their Congressional members to take action. You can also call the White House at 1-888-659-8549 and ask the President to sign a comprehensive executive order to combat veterans’ suicide and help end this tragedy for veterans and their families.