The Rowan County Suicide Coalition is teaming up with American Legion Post 126 in Morehead to raise awareness about the resources available for veterans. The Help for Heroes Cookout is being held to help veterans access these supports while providing a space to relax with their families and other vets with free food, games, and live music.
Albert Mabry, a member of both organizations, said the Legion is working to shed light on the many benefits service members and their families may be entitled to but are unaware of.
“The Kentucky Career Centers- the one in Morehead- has a listing of resources that are available. Everything from the 988 number to homelessness prevention,” Mabry said.
He said these resources are numerous and readily available, but many veterans don’t know how to access them. He added this is because of the inability of providers of these resources to communicate effectively with media outlets,
“Most of the resources are either state or federally funded,” said Mabry. “If you’re a state or federal employee, you are pretty much banned from speaking with the media without it going through the communications offices and everything being approved first.”
Mabry said the Help for Our Heroes event as well as many similar events act as an effective way to help veterans in crisis and their families receive the aid they are entitled to.
Besides the Help for Our Heroes on September 13, the Morehead Legion is hosting a car show on the 6th, and on the 24th Bath County is hosting its 5th annual Day of Valor and Honor.