On Saturday, Sept. 21, Wilmington will hold a Silent Watch at the Veterans Memorial on the corner of Main and Walnut streets.

The event, organized by Clinton County Veteran Services, aims to raise awareness about the tragic rate of veteran suicides and to honor those who have served but are no longer with us. The event will run from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with community members invited to sign up for 20-minute shifts to stand in silent vigil.

The Silent Watch serves as a reminder of the struggles many veterans face after returning home. By standing in silence, participants acknowledge the 22 veterans lost to suicide every day—a statistic that underscores the urgent need for increased mental health support and awareness.

Jeffrey Rollins, executive director of Clinton County Veteran Services and a veteran himself, emphasized the importance of events like the Silent Watch. “This is a very small way we honor our fallen comrades, but I will always try to find more ways to do so and live by the mottos: ‘Some gave all, all gave some,’ and ‘We don’t know them all, but we owe them everything,’” Rollins said.

The event not only serves to remember those who have passed, but also to draw attention to the ongoing issue of veteran suicide. Clinton County Veteran Services hopes that by bringing public awareness to this issue, they can help reduce the number of veterans who feel they have no other option but to take their own lives.

Participants in the Silent Watch will receive drinks, shirts, and snacks as a small token of appreciation for their time. The organizers encourage anyone interested in supporting veterans and raising awareness to sign up for a shift and stand in solidarity.

For more information or to sign up for a 20-minute shift, community members can call (937) 382-3233. Clinton County Veteran Services reminds everyone that “22 a day is 22 too many.”