"Buddy Check 22" --- 22 October. Will you be calling to check on a buddy?

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 04:09:41 -0400

Gaining ground much like the ALS Ice Bucket challenge is what is being called Buddy 22, scheduled for 22 October to raise awareness and attempt to stem the tide of suicides. Call a buddy today, make sure they're OK. Really OK. Know where and how to get help

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 21 at 2015 4:35 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 04:35:28 -0400

Thanks for bringing this to our attention Maj Kim Patterson!

Response by SSG Michael Scott made Oct 21 at 2015 4:58 AM

SSG Michael Scott — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 04:58:22 -0400

Will do

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 21 at 2015 5:23 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 05:23:37 -0400

Good looking out ma'am

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 21 at 2015 5:40 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 05:40:44 -0400

Thanx Ma'am...If "Buddy Check 22".... saves just one life it will be well worth it....

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 21 at 2015 6:01 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 06:01:51 -0400

Thanks for reminding me, I will make that buddy check!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 6:37 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 06:37:12 -0400

Roger that! Wilco.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 9:08 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 09:08:38 -0400

Maj Kim Patterson - ma'am, tomorrow is 22 October (unless you're overseas), not today. That being said, everyday is a good day to "buddy check" someone you know.

Response by 1LT Ernest Hendrik Erasmus made Oct 22 at 2015 12:39 PM

1LT Ernest Hendrik Erasmus — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:39:49 -0400

Good day from Buenos Aires,i am well pleased with the new updates and 'Roger that'!will forward my support where applicable - i keep in touch.

Response by SCPO Ralph Hensley made Oct 22 at 2015 12:40 PM

SCPO Ralph Hensley — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:40:19 -0400

Scott Ziegel is intentionally living his life by creating and leading this Buddy Check 22 call-out. Thanks Scott for reminding us to take a few minutes to reach out to others and care about our Sisters and Brothers. HOOYAH!#IntentionalLiving

Response by 1LT Ernest Hendrik Erasmus made Oct 22 at 2015 12:42 PM

1LT Ernest Hendrik Erasmus — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 12:42:58 -0400

Thank you for the Information provided this is an important aspect which we have to cover - and yes you have my full support - huha!!!

Response by MSgt Stephanie McCalister made Oct 22 at 2015 2:59 PM

MSgt Stephanie McCalister — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:59:35 -0400

Thank you Maj Kim Patterson for alerting RP members to this event.

It's become more than just October 22nd ... it's an ongoing event for the 22nd of every month. Schedule a reminder in your phone to call, text, instant message, or personally visit a veteran, or three, or six? No need to limit yourself, there's plenty to go around! (22 for 22 is a highlight - that doesn't mean we can't do this any time!)

For those on Facebook, there is a Buddy Check 'event', to help remind every month to participate and keep our brothers and sisters in arms in the forefront of our thoughts, and to let them know we care! You can also help with this any time by greeting veterans & military you see out in public or at the VA hospital. You may never know that the veteran you shared a few words of thanks or caring with in passing, may be a life you saved by brightening their loneliness.

Buddy Check 22 event: https://www.facebook.com/events/ [login to see] 38390/

Keep this information close on hand to share too!
The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential toll-free hotline, online chat, or text. Veterans and their loved ones can call [login to see] and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Support for deaf and hard of hearing individuals is available.

https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/ (When my service dog passed away last year, I was in deep mourning, not suicidal, but lost & adrift feeling that nobody could understand .. I called .. they listened ... it's for any of us in need of an ear in times of darkness.)

Veterans Crisis Line | Hotline, Online Chat & Text

Free, confidential support for Veterans in crisis and their families and friends. Call the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1) or chat online 24/7/365.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 22 at 2015 3:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:10:28 -0400

I check up on a few civilians who needed help.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 3:30 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:30:51 -0400

Absolutely

Response by SPC Joseph F Dolloff made Oct 22 at 2015 3:39 PM

SPC Joseph F Dolloff — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:39:06 -0400

A very important thing to do. I lost a cousin to suicide, a few years ago, on Fort Hood. Wish I spoke more with him!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 3:58 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 15:58:19 -0400

One suicide is one too many. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide please LET ME KNOW. I have lost loved ones due to suicide and I have even been there myself. I thank God every day that I am still here. I understand your struggle and feelings of helplessness. Just know you are not alone! I'm always here if you want to chat or vent.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 4:09 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:09:00 -0400

Thank you Sgt Christina Wilder. A very important issue that is highlighted by Buddy Check 22.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 6:15 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:15:00 -0400

Roger that Sgt!

Response by MAJ Michele Bretz made Oct 22 at 2015 9:26 PM

MAJ Michele Bretz — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 21:26:58 -0400

Thanks for the reminder. I just checked with my buddy and gave him something to look forward to for Thanksgiving. I told him that he could bring his "kids" with him but he feels that he will have them kennel trained to stay and his PTSD will be better controlled. He's offered to teach me how to make his dog treats so that I can give them to a dog that lives below my house and comes and visits thinking that my dog will come out and play. Unfortunately, we had to put her down and Izzy has adopted us since her master (15 year old joy riding with his next door neighbor also 16)was killed in a car accident and she needs to a PTSD person to get her through this difficult time.