July 23 22-a-Day

Thursday:  Jesse is helping bring awareness of veteran suicide by assisting in the "22-a-Day" observance again this year in Kent County. For 30 straight days, 22 crosses are erected on property next to the 131 in Northwest Grand Rapids.  Each cross represents a service member who has ended his own life. Jesse told me that about 70% are elderly Vietnam Vets; but there are many younger service people represented as well. He also told me that 22 is just an estimate, taken from documented cases; he believes the number is closer to 50 per day. This is so, so sad.

People come to erect these crosses either because it represents a friend or family member who committed suicide. Some folk write the name of the fallen on the cross, along with other information.

I stole a few photos from Jesse's FB posts to show you what it looks like at night:

Good job on these pictures, Jesse. It's so tragic that these men and women didn't have anyone to rescue them from ending their lives. Surely, it must grieve the heart of the Lord as well.