Hempfield bike run to recognize veterans lost to suicide, stress prevention efforts

About 17 U.S. veterans are lost to suicide each day.

That was the toll of self-inflicted deaths among veterans in 2019, the latest reported in a study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The study also found that the suicide rate among veterans exceeded that among non-veterans by about 52%.

That’s why suicide awareness and prevention will be the focus Aug. 6 of the fourth annual Fallen Heroes Run and Military Appreciation Day at Z&M Harley-Davidson along Route 30 in Hempfield.

“We just feel there’s such a need for this, to help veterans who are suffering in silence,” said Tony Aubrey, team leader for Monroeville-based Operation Vet NOW, which is organizing the motorcycle ride and the appreciation event, which is open to the public.

The ride begins at Z&M, with participants registering from 8:15 to 9:50 a.m. and departing on the police-escorted run at 10 a.m. They’ll head to the White Oak American Legion post, for an 11 a.m. ceremony honoring six area service members who died by suicide.

They’re expected to return to the motorcycle dealership at about 1:30 p.m., for placement of photos recognizing fallen service members.

Each rider will have the opportunity to fill out a commitment card to stay in touch with a veteran.

The ride is co-sponsored by the Warriors of Chaos Veterans Motorcycle Club, which was represented at a recent service for the unclaimed cremains of 15 veterans from Westmoreland County.

At Z&M, the appreciation event will run from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It will feature about 25 displays, including informational booths from veterans organizations, military vehicles and a Golik Motorsports race car that promotes suicide prevention and has appeared at Jennerstown Speedway.

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OVN’s primary mission is to help make connections so that veterans and their families can obtain needed care and support for such issues as post-traumatic stress disorder and challenges in transitioning to civilian life.

Aubrey said many of the organizations expected to be at the Aug. 6 event provide services focused on PTSD, traumatic brain injury, mental illness and transitional stress from leaving the military.

Ray of Hope, Westmoreland County’s suicide prevention task force, will be among the featured groups.

Food trucks will be on hand. Music will be provided by The Bartlow Brothers Band and by DJ ChaChee, an Army combat veteran.

Z&M is offering veterans who attend the event a gift and a discount on licensed products purchased from the dealership.

Of the 17 veterans, on average, who die by suicide each day, more than 10 were not connected to Veterans Health Administration care, according to data from 2019.

“That’s one of the greatest needs we’re seeing,” Aubrey said.

Information about the new three-digit 988 suicide and crisis lifeline that launched on July 16 also will be available.

“Many organizations and community members will be there to thank veterans and military members for their service,” said Aubrey. “We ask the community to come out and show their appreciation by attending.”

Visit opvetnow.org and click on the “events” heading for more information about the ride and to register. A $25 fee per bike includes breakfast for all riders. There is no additional charge for passengers.