National American Legion commander visits Nebraska, pushes Be The One campaign

KEARNEY, Neb. — The American Legion is putting additional emphasis on its efforts to prevent veteran suicide.

The Nebraska American Legion chapters held their annual convention in Kearney over the weekend. National Commander Jim Troiola was among the guests. A primary reason for his visit included pushing the Be The One initiative.

“So we ask either a community member or a legion member to call a veteran that they may think is at risk and try to open up a conversation with them, and try to build a trusted relationship so that veteran will talk to our veteran. It’s a camaraderie, we all speak the same language.”

If a veteran is identified as being at risk of taking their own life, the legion steers them to local resources for help.

Part of the campaign is awareness. Troiola wants to make Americans aware that 6,000 veterans take their own lives every year. He hopes the Be The One campaign can lower that number by removing the stigma of a veteran stepping forward and asking for help.

The Nebraska legion chapters all receive training related to the program.