Special event scheduled for May 22 at 11 a.m. in Tampa
(Hillsborough County, Florida) May 14, 2021 – The community is invited to attend the 7th annual Special Memorial Service for Families and Friends of Veterans Lost to Suicide on Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 5 located at 3810 W. Kennedy Blvd. in Tampa.
Sponsored by the non-profit Veterans Counseling Veterans, Inc. (VCV), the event is unlike traditional memorial tributes for its focus on the invisible wounds of military service and the pain felt by loved ones in the wake of suicide. Its Veteran counselors seek to break down mental health stigmas and restore compassion, dignity, and hope for those who may be suffering and need help.
In addition to the traditional honor guard and playing of Taps, the Special Memorial Service will feature remarks from Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, New Tampa Councilman Luis Viera, Chaplain (Colonel) Eric Albertson, US Special Operations Command, Veteran Chaplain Linda Pugsley, and Myrtice Landers surviving mother of Derek Landers, singer Maxine Reyes (retired Army).
Limited event seating is available at American Legion Post 5 in Tampa. The public can attend virtually by viewing the Veterans Counseling Veterans Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/veteranscounselingveterans.
For more information, visit https://VetsCounselingVets.org/.