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(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Veterans within the American Volunteer Reserve stand at attention during a ceremony held in honor of veterans at the Celebrate Freedom event in 2024.
Though Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month concluded in June, the needs of veterans will always remain. In Young County, local buddy checks with veterans are expanding to be held each month.
Young County Veterans Service Officer Adam LaVine, in coordination with American Legion Post 34, held buddy checks for veterans throughout the month of June.
“June's PTSD awareness Buddy Check Meetups were such a success that the local American Legion Post 34 and I will be continuing our efforts of connection and camaraderie on a monthly basis moving forward,” LaVine said.
The check-ins will now occur on the third Saturday of every month at Burgers and Billiards in Graham from 4-6 p.m. Meals will be paid for by the American Legion Post 34 and the post is accepting donations for this cause.
“This is an important event to continue into the foreseeable future because a lot of service members have such a hard time connecting with our civilian counterparts,” LaVine said. “In my office, I estimate that five or six out of every 10 veterans express concerns about their mental health.”
Through the month of June, the VSO and Post 34 held buddy checks every Saturday at the same location and LaVine said they served as a great resource for those who attended.
“These meetups act as a great space to be able to recount memories in an unapologetic way amongst great company,” he said. “Veterans and family members in attendance can also use this as a stepping stone into further involvement with the community, to help them find purpose and a way to give back.”
The group also brought the Mobile Vet Center for both the Food Truck Championship of Texas and Celebrating Freedom events. The Mobile Vet Center provides space for confidential counseling of veterans, service members and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting.
LaVine can be contacted via his cell phone at 314-584-9722, or by email at a.lavine@youngcounty.org. The veterans service office for Young County is located at the Young County Annex at 417 Second St. in Graham.
