PEORIA Ill. – A tradition that dates back more than 100 years, continued Monday morning in Downtown Peoria.
It was the annual Veterans Day Parade — honoring those who have or are currently serving in the U-S military.
Also those who lost their lives while or after serving — or went missing in action.
Michael Reagan was in the Navy for more than 20-years — he brought to light, a few hard truths that veterans face on a daily basis.
“The estimate is that 22 veterans a day, commit suicide, it’s actually more than that. Veteran’s have an estimated 57% higher rate of suicide and it’s even higher if you’ve had a traumatic brain injury or some of the fun things you walk out of the military with,” Michael Reagan said.
Reagan adds — you never know when you are interacting with a person who’s served.
“The dad that barely gets to see his kids, the addict who’s strung out on Oxycodone that were over-prescribed, the homeless guy under the bridge, that is who veterans are. You never know who the veteran is that you are talking to,” Reagan said.
Any veterans in a state of need are encouraged to call the “Veteran Crisis Hotline” — by dialing 988 and pressing one.
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