‘Our Heroes Need a Place to Heal’

11224289_fb_1462577395.1704_funds“As a Noncommissioned Officer I have personally lost five of my soldiers to suicide,” says Jeremy Voris. “All of them great soldiers who were struggling with PTSD upon returning from combat.” Voris, a combat veteran, not only wants to raise awareness of this problem, he wants to help local veterans.

Voris explained that he once faced debilitating PTSD. Exercise helped. “My buddies said the same thing,” Voris explained. So, he started an all veteran softball team.

“It consists entirely of Humboldt County veterans,” he said. “Our mission is to provide a safe healing environment for veterans with PTSD. We are currently trying to raise money for uniforms, travel expenses, equipment, and tournament fees.” The group hopes to play in tournaments as far away as Minnesota.

In addition, Voris says the team will be working to raise awareness about the number of veterans who commit suicide every day. One sleeve of the softball uniform will carry the number 22–this number comes from a widely cited study that says during 2010 “an estimated 22 Veterans will have died from suicide each day.” Though the actual number has been disputed, suicide is widely recognized to be a problem for veterans.

A GoFundMe page has been set up so people can support the local vets team. Voris’ group now has a Facebook page, too. Click here to go to the Humboldt Veterans Athletic Association.

“By forming the Humboldt Veterans Athletic Association and our men’s softball team, it gives Veterans a safe place to come out, be around fellow Veterans, and know they are not in this alone!” Voris wrote.

“If we are successful with the softball this summer,” Voris said. “I would like to offer more. Hiking, biking, basketball…”

If you would like to help be a part of helping local vets fight back against the high rate of suicide in their ranks and help them have a little fun, you can pitch in some money by clicking here.unnamed (46)

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SMH
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SMH
7 years ago

WTF??? Take some of the tax money we send in every year and take care of these people. The military spends millions outfitting and training these people, it should not stop there. They should be taken care of for life. Maybe we need a better education tool to keep people from joining the military until our government does it part to take care of them.

22yrvet
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22yrvet
7 years ago
Reply to  SMH

You have your head in the sand SMH. A very small percentage of the dollars made in Humboldt County is even taxed. Good, bad or indifferent, these men and women need help and if comraderie and espirit ‘d Corps helps, we need to support them in any way we can.

Bob Ueker
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Bob Ueker
7 years ago

PLAY BALL!