In the days leading up to Veterans Day, the City of Florence is partnering with a local church to raise veteran suicide awareness.
The city has joined Florence Christian Church to conduct a Witness Tree ceremony at the Boone County Veterans Memorial on the Florence City Government Center campus. The 11-day, 15-minute ceremony starts daily at 8 a.m. and began on Wednesday.
“This is the beginning of the Witness Tree, where members of our community come together to be reminded of our veterans, the great sacrifices they have made, as well as their need for support,” Florence Christian Church Lead Minister Rev. Susan Ward Diamond said. “Many come back from war and are suffering consequences of that service. Some of that ending in death by suicide.”
The effort highlights the invisible wounds veterans carry after returning to civilian life and takes note of the estimated 22 veterans who commit suicide daily, officials said. The ceremony includes placing 22 dog tags on a tree each day alongside reflections and meditative thoughts from attendees.
Veterans Day is a day set aside to honor and remember the nation’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good, Diamond said.
“The Witness Tree is a ceremony to remind us and raise awareness that we have an obligation and duty to not only welcome our veterans home – but also to carry the responsibility of their sacrifice in the many instances they’re suffering,” Diamond said.
Wednesday’s reflections were offered by Florence Infrastructure Support Services Superintendent and veteran Greg Clift.
“On this first day of the Witness Tree, we see the symbol of life,” Clift said. “Trees provide clean air, shade from the sun’s heat and a place of safety for nesting birds. Sacrificial trees, like our veterans, have bumps that remain unseen. In this unseen place is the depth of connection and stability.”
For some veterans, the ground has been shaken and there are no roots, Clift said.
“As a veteran, I think it’s important that we always let the veteran community know that they’re in our thoughts, whether we’re discussing suicide of veterans or veterans in general,” Clift said. “Those who are currently off across the world serving right now and those that come back continue to serve in many ways in the community. Their service never actually ends.”