A two-year-old organization has provided more than $25 million in grants to help address and prevent veteran suicide.
Face The Fight was launched in 2023 by USAA and founding partners Reach Resilience and the Humana Foundation. The organization’s 250 members work together to raise awareness, reduce stigma and engage communities.
Army Reservist and USAA vice president of Corporate Impact Jenna Saucedo-Herrera said Face the Fight-funded programs have impacted more than 350,000 people so far.
“It’s a collective impact effort that aims to elevate conversations around veteran suicide, invest in proven intervention methods while attempting to destigmatize what it means for our veterans and service members to ask for help.”
Face the Fight programs support interventions ranging from peer-to-peer outreach and secure firearm storage to suicide prevention, Saucedo-Herrera said.
“We want veterans to know they are not alone, we are here with them, we are that community,” she said.
Army Warrant Officer and country music recording star Craig Morgan was one of the headlining acts at the Grand Ole Opry's second annual "Face the Fight Night at the Opry" concert on Sept. 10. The event celebrated and honored veterans while also helping to address and prevent veteran suicide.
“I have had the privilege of being in the military for a very long time; it’s a big part of my life, a big part of who I am,” he said. “I have experienced firsthand the loss of friends to suicide in the military. But, I’ve also experienced firsthand the men and women who’ve taken the opportunity to utilize these resources to get help.”
Morgan’s first record deal came in 2000. Since then, he has had 25 chart-topping releases, including "Soldier" and "Almost Home." His latest album, "American Soundtrack,” was released in February.
“I have learned, again, firsthand, the impact of the arts and for me, particularly music, can and does have,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for someone, when given these resources, to pick up an ink pen, guitar, paint brush, whatever, to express themselves as opposed to picking up a gun.”
Morgan is also the recipient of the Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, one of the highest civilian awards bestowed by the U.S. military.
“I have been and always will be a soldier,” he said. “As an entertainer, I am privileged to share that art form and hopefully encourage other service members to utilize these arts.”
Mickey Guyton, Coffee Anderson, Tucker Wetmore and others performed alongside Morgran at the concert.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.