According to a 2019 Congressional Research Service Report titled “Recent Trends in Active Duty Military Deaths,” between 2006 and 2018, 3,863 active duty service members ended their own lives. This is more than service members who were killed in action (2,710) and service members who died by wounds received (886) combined.- According to a 2016 report from the Office of Suicide Prevention, while veterans account for only 8.5% of the U.S. population, 18% of all adult suicides in the United States are veterans, or about 20 veteran suicides per day.
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and we at Tee It Up for the Troops observe the World Suicide Prevention Day each year on September 10. In fact, suicide prevention is one of the six pillars that Tee It Up for the Troops was built on.
The facts are in front of us, and the number of veteran suicides compared to the civilian population is disproportionately high. Twenty veterans a day is 20 too many. Veteran suicide awareness is the war in front of us, a daily battle that is on the forefront of our organization’s efforts and resources. Twenty veterans a day are dying by their own hands. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for our fallen heroes. For every 20 who daily fall, there are scores upon scores who daily struggle, who daily fight to live another day. These are the men and women we present to you today. These are the lives we, together, are fighting for.
As COVID-19 Crisis Continues, Suicide Risk for Veterans Grows
The preceding numbers on veteran suicide are the latest available to us, but the world has dramatically changed since then. Those 20 veterans a day do not include the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has hit America tremendously hard. Across the globe, and certainly here at home, we have seen not only the physical toll of this virus, but also the mental toll on the general population. How much more so for our veteran brothers and sisters who have already been fighting to keep their mental acuity strong and sound? The year 2020 has been incredibly brutal for these individuals. We propose to make a difference, and we are asking for your help.
Our Tee It Up for the Troops events and REUNION program are instrumental in bringing more awareness to veteran suicide, help fund our efforts, and are powerful ways for you, your company, and your foundation to make a significant difference in a veteran’s daily life. We know that a healthy mental well-being is tied to activating our bodies as much as we are able, being outside, and with the opportunity to socialize. Our events give these veterans something they can enjoy with brothers/sisters outside of war.
You can be the difference in a veteran’s life. Donate today or find an event near you!
Antigua is a dedicated partner and apparel sponsor for Tee It Up for the Troops. In the office or on the green, our staff, leaders, military heroes, and event participants proudly wear Antigua Sportswear that is co-branded with our logo. The Antigua Group, Inc. is a leading designer and marketer of men’s, women’s and children’s lifestyle apparel and sportswear with a 40-year history as a golf apparel provider.
“As a father of a veteran and the son of a World War II veteran, I am so proud that Antigua is involved in Tee It Up for the Troops great series of events,” said John Anderson, Antigua’s National Sales Manager for the Golf Division. “The most important thing is all the good that comes to military veterans through Tee It Up for the Troops and we are just so proud to be a small part of your great events.”
“The support of Antigua helps our veterans and event participants look good, splash patriotism, and stay cool and comfortable while playing golf in our fundraising events, but more importantly, Antigua supports our mission to improve veteran’s lives by enhancing their mental, social, physical and emotional well-being, said Tim Wegscheid, Tee It Up for the Troops President & Executive Director. “We are grateful to Antigua and John for their tremendous dedication to our military heroes. And a huge thank you to Ryan for his bravery and service to our country!”
Antigua works with Tee It Up for the Troops to supply many co-branded apparel items including golf polos and pullovers like those seen above. One of our most popular patriotic pride apparel items is the Antigua Patriot Golf Polo, also shown above, which has the good old red white and blue across the stars and stripes print on the shirt’s chest.
The second annual Tee It Up for the Troops-Black Hills, South Dakota event on July 20, 2020, at the Arrowhead Country Club was a success on the green and beyond!. The event honored U.S. military service members and benefited those who have been wounded in the defense of our freedom.
Due to COVID-19 limitations, the event had a few creative adjustments inspired by the tournament committee. One of those innovative modifications was the creation of an impactful virtual opening ceremony instead of a live opening ceremony to avoid a large group gathering. The virtual opening ceremony was produced by the leading sponsor, NewsCenter1 Media Group, which is the Black Hills, South Dakota local NBC station, and was sent out before the event on various platforms such as Facebook, email, and text message. Golf participants were sent a link and encouraged to download it to their smart device so that they could watch it as a team on their first tee box before the start of the event. The virtual opening ceremony was also showcased on the event’s Facebook page which allowed the ceremony to be brought to the community and followers without them physically being present. Watch the impressive virtual opening ceremony here: 
Some of the other changes that were made included limiting the registration table to no more than one person per team, limiting the course to 25 teams or 100 players to ensure that the course was not over-run, and a box lunch that could be picked up at two locations on the course instead of having a reception after the event. The entire event was held outside including opening and closing remarks and the awards ceremony.
Military support was in full force with 40 veterans and active-duty members who played in the event and others who volunteered. Troy Teal, an Air Force Combat Veteran who is also a five-time World Long Drive Championship Competitor, was also on the course providing entertainment and support. The Black Hills event has quickly become one of the largest Tee It Up for the Troops events in terms of veteran participation in the nation.
committee members pictured left to right: Beau Garcia – Member of American Legion Post 22 & Sons of the American Legion; Chuck Brookings – Army Veteran, OIF/OEF/OND; Joey Franze – Tee It Up for the Troops-Black Hills Tournament Director; Capt., Air Force Medical Service Corps, OEF/OIF; Tom Vallette – Current Pennington County Veterans Service Officer; Air Force Veteran, OEF; Dave Atwood – Active Duty Air Force. Not pictured is Dale Christensan, Army Veteran, Vietnam.
