Danielle Ingram, president of the Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9, holds the Veterans Tear pin featuring a light blue topaz teardrop set in sterling silver. Each pin is hand-made and available for sale at Van Horn Jeweler’s in Owego for $100. Half of the proceeds support awareness and prevention of veteran suicides. You can also call Danielle Ingram for details at (607) 205-0902. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Suicide among military veterans has increased over the course of the last decade. On a national level, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), along with the Pentagon, have tapped into resources to study the problem and have initiated a program to better understand who might be at risk so that intervention can take place before a crisis occurs.
According to a September 2017 study released by the VA, suicide rates among veterans show variability across the nation, and after adjusting for differences in age and sex, risk for suicide was 22 percent higher among veterans when compared to non-veterans of the same age.
VA Secretery, Dr. David J. Shulkin, stated in a press release last year that 20 suicides a day were reported in 2016, adding, “I am committed to reducing veteran suicides through support and education. This is a national public health issue that requires a concerted, national approach.”
In Tioga County, an effort is underway to raise awareness about veteran’s suicide and to support veterans and their families. Tioga County’s Chapter 9 Veterans of Modern Warfare (VMW) President, Danielle Ingram recently worked with award-winning master jewelry designer Michael Husted at Van Horn Jewelers in Owego to create a piece of jewelry, a pin called the “Veterans Tear.”
Ingram explained that the goal was to, “Design a pin that would raise awareness about the alarming suicide rate among veterans as well as help support veterans and their families.”
Ingram also commented that veterans today are dealing more than ever with issues such as Post Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Tramatic Brain Injury (TBI).
The pin, a light blue topaz teardrop is set in sterling silver. The teardrop represents the tears of heartache and pain associated with veteran suicide, while the silver frame symbolizes a ray of hope for the future.
Pictured is the Common Ground Chapel located at the intersection of West Main Street and Armstrong Place in Owego. The Veterans of Modern Warfare Chapter 9 hold meetings there on the first Saturday of each month, with the next meeting scheduled for May 5 starting at 11 a.m. New members are welcome (Desert Storm, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan). (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
Ingram said the Swiss topaz was chosen because, “When tears fall they shine,” and further remarked that the selection exudes that same quality.
An idea inspired by Ingram, Husted drafted drawings and crafted the distinctive piece based on Ingram’s description. Each Veterans Tear is hand-made and individually stamped.
“We’ve sold over one hundred so far,” Ingram said, adding, “And half of the proceeds will be used for the veterans.”
A retired U.S. Air Force Major, Ingram served as a CASF trauma nurse (Casualty Air Staging Facility) during the Iraq War. During her 20-plus year career, she was deployed twice to Iraq, as well as Saudi Arabia, Cuba and Oman, and participated in several humanitarian missions. Along with her role as President of the VMW, she is also the first woman to serve with the V.F.W. Honor Guard.
Proceeds from pin sales will help raise awareness and benefit prevention goals. For example, Ingram explained that the VMW would use proceeds in their quest to assist other regional veterans groups in setting up a suicide hotline. With an estimated start-up cost of $3,000, the suicide hotline would run as a peer-to-peer program whereby veterans help veterans via phone.
In addition, Ingram explained that proceeds would pay towards a local trainer of therapy dogs to work on readying therapy dogs to be partnered with veterans in need.
To place a Veterans Tear pin order, contact Ingram at (607) 205-0902, or stop by Van Horn Jewelers located at 31 Lake St. in Owego. The pin, being sold for $100, is on display in one of the jewelry store’s front windows.
The VMW meets the first Saturday of the month at the Common Ground Chapel, a restored Marine Chapel, located at the intersection of West Main Street and Armstrong Place in Owego. New members are welcome. The next meeting of the VMW is scheduled for May 5 at 11 a.m.
The VMW provides education, advocacy and support for veterans affected by the complexities of modern warfare (Desert Storm, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan) and supports various community activities and events.
Veterans who are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, or those who know a veteran in crisis, should call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
The Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency, with an office in Owego, also assists veterans with various support programs. For questions or assistance, call the agency at (607) 687-8228.
Be the first to comment on "‘Veterans Tear’ pin being sold to help raise suicide awareness "