Clearwater & Polk VSO Talk Veterans Day & Veteran Suicide

Fosston, MN — With Veteran’s Day coming up this Friday, it’s a good time to honor and remember those who serve or have served in the military and remember those we lost. But not just those who lost their lives in the battlefields, but those who struggled with PTSD and depression and took their own lives when they were back home. Preventing Veteran suicide is a priority for the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Suicide has claimed more than 100 Minnesota Veteran lives per year during the past five years. As this rate continues to increase, especially among younger Veterans, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs is collaborating with others to identify the root causes of Veteran suicide and create an innovative, cooperative way to reverse this trend.

Logan LeClair and Kurt Ellefson, Polk and Clearwater County Veterans Service Officers, says the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs wants to know more about veteran suicide by speaking with their friends and family.

Polk County is also participating in Operation Green Light to show their support area veterans and all folks across the region are encouraged to install green lights outside their home to show their support as well.

By shining a green light, we let our veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported. While this event is focused around the week of Veterans Day (November 7th -13th), participants are encouraged to continue shining the light year-round. Residents can share their participation on social media using the hashtag #OperationGreenLight.