A new lawsuit against Brown University has sparked debate about the secrecy of police departments at private colleges in the U.S. Such private police forces often don't have to disclose arrest records or incident reports. (AP Video: Rodrique Ngowi)
LEVEL PLAINS — Small American flags representing each Alabama veteran who died by suicide last year are on display at the Level Plains Obetus J. Waters Community Park as part of the city’s inaugural “Operation We Remember” observance.
Spearheaded by Level Plains City Councilwoman Melinda Achman, the Honors Flag Ceremony events began with a 5k run/walk in support of “Operation We Remember,” followed by a tribute to veterans from Achman, Coffee County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 9 Adjutant retired Command Sgt. Maj. Brandi Whitman, Level Plains Police Chief Johnny Summers, Newton Town Councilwoman Sharolyn Sidebottom, and Bella Brookshire, founder of the Service Beyond Self community service project. ‘Operation We Remember’“Operation We Remember” is an Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs initiative, in partnership with the Alabama Department of Mental Health and student veterans’ associations throughout the state, that annually honors the veterans in Alabama who lost their lives to suicide the previous year. “It serves as a visual reminder that suicide knows no boundaries,” said Achman. It takes place statewide during September, which serves as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. People are also reading… “Alabama’s challenge for service members and their families is an initiative aimed to create an impactful, long-term outcome across the state as we continue to fight the stigma of mental illness,” Whitman said. “The tragic reality across all our nation is that approximately 17 veterans die by suicide per day. “In Alabama, the veteran suicide rate is higher than the national average,” Whitman said. “I’ve lost soldiers and friends, most recently in April one who was battling his war demons.” Dial 988, press 1Just weeks prior she had talked to him about seeking help. “And he promised that he would take that action,” she said. “We never know the demons that others are battling, and we will never understand why suicide is the solution they choose, however it doesn’t take but a quick phone call or text message to ensure that your battle buddy or your friend knows that they matter and they are loved. “If you know or suspect you know someone who is going down a dark path, please voice your concerns,” Whitman urged. ‘We don’t know their demons.” Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 988 and pressing 1. A caller does not have to be enrolled in VA benefits or VA health care to call. “If you are a veteran, service member, National Guard or Reserve member, or someone who supports them, we are ready to help,” Whitman said. “We are larger than this one moment.” Summers agreed. “We don’t ever know what people are going through. People make the bold statement, ‘I would never do that,’ but you don’t know what you would do in certain situations. All we can do is be here for you, do what we can do to help you. We will always be there for you.” Follow Michelle Mann Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
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