Gary and Tammy Quinlan welcomed residents to enjoy a meal of sliced pork at the Deep River Community Center on Oct. 6 to raise money and awareness for veteran suicide. (JO Parker/Chronicle Republican)
MONTEZUMA — Getting the message out there about making a difference in the lives of veterans is something the Montezumas take to heart.
American Legion District 5 Commander Gary Quinlan and his wife, Tammy, District 5 Assistant President, are raising money to install Be the One signs along Interstate 80. .
Be the One is a movement of the American Legion to end stigma against veterans seeking help. Estimates suggest that between 17 and 22 veterans and military personnel die by suicide each day.
Members of Deep River American Legion Auxiliary Post 296 take a break from volunteering at Sunday’s Harvest Luncheon. The meal was a fundraiser for a year of billboards on Interstate 80 to raise awareness of veteran suicide. (JO Parker/Chronicle Republican)
“That number is more than 6,000 a year,” Be the One advocacy says. “Suicide rates among veterans are more than 50% higher than those among non-veteran adults. As the global war on terror continues, veterans face mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. will increase further.”
“Veteran suicide is an epidemic,” Tammy said.
The couple started the project last year and are working to raise $25,000 to install the sign somewhere along Interstate 80 between Newton and Victor. It will be in place for one year.
As district commanders and district auxiliary presidents, the Quinlans are asked to work on projects that support veterans or veterans organizations. The “Be the One” billboard project was something the couple felt would make a difference in the lives of veterans.
“This is something we are working on together,” Gary said.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Deep River American Legion Auxiliary held a Harvest Luncheon to raise awareness of veteran suicide issues and raise funds for Quinlan’s project.
The Quinlan family, who live in Montezuma, are members of the Deep River American Veterans Association and Auxiliary Post 296. About 80 people enjoyed a meal of thinly sliced pork with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls and dessert.
Kim Dixon, deputy director of the Iowa American Legion Auxiliary, traveled from Oskaloosa to Deep River to assist with Quinlan’s sign project.
“Be the One was started by the American Legion to increase suicide awareness and prevention,” Dixon said.
“This has become a project for the entire American Legion family. They chose the name Be the One because as members, we are asked to reach out to someone we haven’t seen in a few days. .This is a buddy check activity for veterans.”
“This is a great project,” Dixon added of the Quinlan family’s efforts. “There are a lot of people driving on I-80 and it will raise awareness of veteran suicide. The loss of one veteran is too many.”
Tammy said the goal is to raise money by June 30, 2025.
As a final push to the project, plans are underway to hold a large-scale fundraiser featuring music and food next spring.
Tammy said if funds remain, the plan is to put up small “Be the One” signs around the county and region.
“Difficult issues can be difficult to deal with,” said Jackie Boren, a member of the Deep River American Legion Auxiliary and past president of District 5.
“I’m proud of them for doing their best to get information out to veterans in need. This sign serves as a reminder that help is needed. One life saved. If so, its weight would be equivalent to gold.”
“It is critical that we draw attention to veteran suicide through our ‘Be the One’ initiative,” said Ed Evans, lieutenant of Deep River American Legion Post 296, who attended the harvest luncheon.
“We needed to help veterans who had experienced horrific events and losses that are hard to imagine unless you have been there, like some of us. Some of them are going through hell because they’ve been in the military or lost a loved one, or they’re battling health issues or cancer. We need to help them.”
“Anything that helps veterans is worth it,” Tammy said.
To donate to the Be the One billboard project, please make a check payable to ALA District 5 and send to the Quinlan Family at PO Box 512 in Montezuma.
