Veterans’ service and mental health honored at Columbus Clippers game

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — Central Ohio veterans and their families gathered at Wednesday’s Columbus Clippers game to celebrate their military service, honor 9/11 and raise awareness about the increased risk of suicide among service members.

September is Suicide Prevention Month and mental health is something many American veterans are struggling with. Dr. Chrisanne Gordon is the founder of Resurrecting Lives, a foundation that focuses on preventing suicide among veterans. She said some veterans end up with brain injuries from their time in combat, which can have dangerous consequences.

“If you’ve had a traumatic brain injury you are eight times more likely to take your own life than if you didn’t. And if you are a veteran who knows how to use a firearm, you are 16 times more likely to do that,” Gordon said.

Gordon commissioned artist and retired Navy Chief Joe Pisano to make 3D artwork of the American flag constructed entirely out of screws. Veterans who attended the Clippers game were able to sign the frame around the flag. Gordon and Pisano said the goal of the art is to thank veterans for their service while also acknowledging the mental health issues they may face.

“The biggest thing we need to do is to make our veterans feel welcome when they come back, to make them know how much they are needed and to give them some assistance in education and healthcare and employment,” Gordon said.

“We thank them for their service. We acknowledge their service,” Pisano said. “It’s a platform so that they can talk about whatever they want to talk about, share a story whether it be good, bad or indifferent.”

Pisano said many of the people who have signed the flag tell him they joined the military after 9/11, making Wednesday a fitting day for the event.

“It’s a neat work of art, but more important is what it stands for and all the military members and their families and first responders,” said retired Air Force Colonel Michael Carrell, who signed the flag at the baseball game on Wednesday.

All the veterans who came to the Clippers game got in for free. To learn more about the Resurrecting Lives Foundation check out https://resurrectinglives.org/ .

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