In a solemn and impactful tribute, the Thompson High School JROTC will partner with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) and Alabaster VFW Post 12185 to participate in Operation We Remember. This initiative, taking place on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, is part of a statewide effort to honor and remember the veterans in Alabama who tragically lost their lives to suicide.
Operation We Remember
Operation We Remember is an annual campaign that serves as a visual reminder of the devastating impact of suicide, particularly among veterans. The campaign includes an American flag display, with each flag representing a veteran who died by suicide the previous year. This moving display is part of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, which occurs each September.
A Day of Reflection and Remembrance
On September 4, beginning at 8 AM, Thompson High School’s JROTC classes will begin placing 147 American flags on campus in memory of the Alabama veterans who took their own lives last year. The flag-placing will continue approximately every hour through 6th period/2 PM until all flags are placed. This powerful act of remembrance will not only honor the veterans but also raise awareness about the critical issue of suicide prevention.
A Message of Hope
The hope behind this display is that it will reach veterans, or anyone, who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide, and guide them toward seeking help and choosing a different path. By bringing attention to the lives lost, the Thompson High School community aims to contribute to the broader conversation about mental health and the importance of support systems for those in need.
Thompson High School is proud to support this initiative and stand with the ADVA, Alabaster VFW Post 12185, and the broader community in remembering those we have lost while encouraging others to seek help and choose life.
For more information or support, please reach out to the The Veteran Crisis Line: Dial 988, Press 1.