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Officials Get Behind Initiatives To Help Disabled, Depressed Veterans
OCEAN COUNTY - The love of broadcasting combined with pride in our veterans has an area radio station helping to raise funds for disabled veterans with the support of the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
"We applaud radio station WOBM, along with the New Jersey Radio Museum, in their efforts to raise funds for disabled veterans," said Freeholder John P. Kelly. "This board wholeheartedly supports this effort and encourages our residents to assist in this endeavor."
From 2 to 5 p.m. on Veterans Day, November 11, listeners made on-air pledges on WOBM-AM that will be used to benefit both disabled veterans and the New Jersey Radio Museum.
"WOBM and the Millennium Radio Group continue to support worthwhile organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, proving themselves to be strong leaders in our communities," liaison to the Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau Freeholder Gerry P. Little said. "More than 65,000 veterans call Ocean County home and it's imperative we all work together in assuring them the highest quality of life."
The board of freeholders passed a resolution supporting the fundraising efforts in addition to recognizing Bill Saurer, vice president and general manager of Millennium Radio Group, Tom Mongelli, Monmouth/ Ocean County new bureau chief for WOBM, Steve Ardolina, WOBM program manager, Tripp Rogers, WOBM news anchor, and Rich Phoenix, president of the New Jersey Radio Museum.
Mongelli, who is helping to spearhead the fundraising effort, noted his father served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines during World War II.
Little noted that Veterans Day was a special day set aside to remember all veterans. "Our veterans - men and women of all branches of the armed services - have helped make this country the great place that is it," Little said. "Because of our veterans, we can enjoy
the democracy that we live in and cherish
the many freedoms so many have fought for … This fundraiser gives us an opportunity to
give something back."
Supporting Federal
Vet Suicide Initiative
The figures are staggering. As of 2007, the number of Vietnam veterans who have committed suicide has matched the number of combat deaths suffered by American troops during the war.
"More than 58,000 Vietnam veterans
have taken their own lives," Kelly said. "Our veterans have paid a heavy price for
their service and we must do more to help them."
The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently passed a resolution strongly supporting a new federal law that provides additional counseling services for veterans of all wars.
Little said the bill is especially important to Ocean County and its 80,000 veterans.
"We are home to more veterans than any other county in New Jersey," Little said. "At the county level, we do all we can to support our brave men and women who had fought in the name of freedom."
Last year, the freeholders signed an agreedetermination ment with the U.S. Veterans Administration to provide post traumatic stress disorder counseling in the county.
"Combat veterans can now receive the help they need right at our Ocean County Veterans Service Bureau," Little, who is also liaison to the bureau, said.
The legislation will add to the services already available from the VA. "Mental health care will be available on a 24 hour basis through a toll free VA hotline," Little said. "The bill also funds additional research into suicide prevention specifically for veterans."
With today's soldiers battling terrorism in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Little said he doesn't want them to face another battle with mental health problems when they return home.
The bill was signed into law by President Bush.
The Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act is named after a 22-year-old veteran from Iowa who intentionally shot and killed himself after returning from a tour of duty in Iraq.
The bill would also encourage family outreach and counseling programs and place a special emphasis on removing the stigma associated with mental illness.
"Veterans need to know that mental illness is a serious health condition that can be treated," Little said. "Many times, a veteran may be leery of taking that important first step and seeking the help they need."
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