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Knox County American Veterans offers connection for veterans, civilians

Times-Tribune - 4/19/2019

April 19-- Apr. 19--BARBOURVILLE -- Five veterans sit huddled around a table at Grateful Ed's BBQ in Babourville on a Tuesday evening. The men are laughing, joking, making fun of each other, but at times the conversation turns more serious and the men discuss suicide attempts and post-traumatic stress disorder. These men are part of the Knox County American Veterans, a new veterans group getting its footing in the county to show support, have fellowship and to be able to join again in the brotherhood that veterans and those in the military can only understand.

The Knox County American Veterans is a group that will welcome all veterans and active duty military personnel in Knox County and those native to Knox County.

"One reason why we established this group is no one understands veterans like veterans," Victor Jordan, one of the founding members of the group, said.

The brotherhood is evident among the five at the table, one Army veteran, one Navy veteran, and three Marine veterans. They have shared experiences and connect on a familial level even though they did not serve together.

Knox County American Veterans was formed with that understanding that those who serve in the military are brothers and sisters, but the group also wants to educate and connect with those who have not served.

"We want to help our community and build a bond between veterans and the civilian world," CJ Trent, another one of the organizers, said.

The group has already set out to get involved in the community by asking the Knox County Public Schools students to design the group's official seal.

More importantly Knox County American Veterans wants to be there in times of crisis for fellow veterans.

According to the latest Department of Veterans Affairs data collected in 2016, 20 veterans die by suicide every day. According to Knox County American Veterans' John Goley, it's more like 35 to 40 now.

"It's my goal to make that zero," Goley said.

"That's our goal," Wayne White, another member of the group, corrected him.

The reason Goley is so passionate about veteran suicide prevention is it's personal to him, and he is honest about it.

"Twenty-six years ago Christmas Eve...I put a .38 in my mouth and pulled the trigger twice and it misfired twice. And I set it down and it blew a hole through the wall," Goley said.

"Ever since then I've been doing everything I can to protect my brothers and sisters," he continued.

"You get out and you feel like you're out there alone," White said. "You go from camaraderie of being with the same guys for all this time to now there's nobody. You go from being told what to do every single minute of the day to now you're on your own."

There is a harsh reality coming out of the military, the veterans at the table explained. From leaving behind the brotherhood military personnel are exposed to 24/7 to not always knowing what resources are available, it can be tough to get established back in the civilian world after serving.

Jordan worked for the state as a specialist for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and he has used his experience to help other veterans even after leaving that position.

"I've learned all kinds of resources that we can tap into for veterans," Jordan said, noting he will continue to help connect veterans to those resources along with others in Knox County American Veterans.

The group also wants to be there for the families of those who are active duty or spouses of veterans who have passed away. Knox County American Veterans can help connect them to resources or help explain what those in active duty are going through or how they can connect to them.

Knox County American Veterans is accepting of all ages of veterans and active duty military personnel. To join the group look for the group on Facebook -- Knox County American Veterans. The group plans to meet for dinner once a month.

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