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American Legion hosts veterans BBQ & Job Fair

American Legion hosts veterans BBQ & Job Fair

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Local group partners with Memphis VA for suicide prevention

American Legion Post 53 The Marion-West Memphis American Legion Post 53 had a busy month in September hosting a job fair and a Veterans BBQ.

September is Suicide Prevention month and the American Legion partnered with the VA Medical Center in organizing events with the Memphis VA Suicide Prevention Team.

According to the latest statistics, approximately 20 Veterans take their lives each day. The Memphis VA is committed to eliminating suicide in the Mid-South through treatment, outreach in the communities and organizing special events.

The Job Fair was held at the Memphis VA Medical Center. Over 30 employers from the Mid-South participated including Arkansas Work Force, Fed-Ex, Amazon, Shelby County Schools, MATA, the US Census Bureau and the Tennessee American Job Center. Approximately 200 Veterans and their families took part in the job fair. Crittenden County Veteran Service Officer, Mickey Littlejohn attended the event and provided information on service connected disabilities and VA Benefits.

American Legion Post 53 also hosted the annual Veterans BBQ for homeless Veterans and inpatient Veterans in recovery programs at the Memphis VA Medical Center. Approximately 100 Veterans attended the event which featured BBQ prepared by past American Legion Commander, Harold Carpenter. Faith Baptist Church also provided food and refreshments. Veterans enjoyed live music from Ford Moore and Decades.

Buckhead Creek is a sports complex owned and operated by Faith Baptist of Bartlett. The complex features a large Gazebo basketball courts and pond stocked with fish. Veterans played on the basketball courts and also fished in the pond with fishing rods donated by West Memphis Walmart. West Memphis Walmart also donated food to the event.

Commander Jim Fiveash represented Post 53 and spoke to Veterans about the new eligibility rules to join the American Legion which states anyone who has worn the uniform of a service branch is now eligible for the American Legion.

“It is the duty of every Veteran of Crittenden County who wore the uniform to join the American Legion,” said Fiveash “It is the large membership of our service organizations that ensure that Veterans receive the benefits that they have earned.”

Veterans can sign up for the American Legion online or call (870) 636-0343. The Legion also needs volunteer drivers to drive Crittenden County Veterans to their appointments at the VA Medical Center. You do not need to be a Veteran to volunteer to drive. You only need a heart to help our Veterans.”

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