Vietnam Veterans Association 1046 Hosts Soldier Suicide Discussion
VVA Also Awarded Two Scholarships That Night
Jacksonville’s Vietnam Veterans Association 1046 latest meeting saw two very different events taking place. Their Board and Membership awards two $1,000. scholarships to two local Jacksonville high school students heading into college.
Sara Landmark, from Fletcher High School and Kaely Garcia from Mandarin High School were presented checks by the VVA 1046 as presided over by their President Anthony (Tony) D’Aleo.
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Dave Barbush, CEO of Once a Soldier, Updated Members on Veteran Suicide
With some Veterans in attendance who were personally touched by veteran suicide in their lives.
“As always, it was a humbling experience to speak in front of a group like VVA #1046. And as always, I get more than I give by listening to their stories and understanding more about the life of a Veteran and their families.” said Mr. Barbush.


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More on the VVA #1046 Scholarship Program
These ladies were chosen from applications sent to our committee of which Albert Long is the chairman. The senior student must complete the application form and return it to me at the VVA #1046.
According to Mr. Long, “Upon receiving the application, I will screen the application to see that all information is there and I will certify that they are eligible. I will then take all applications to my committee, and we decide on a winner.”
“I must admit this is the hardest part of the job, as we have always received great applicants.”
“As to how we attract applicants, we make known that we will allow relatives of veterans to apply. This is basically by word of mouth. The second solution we employ is to contact the leader of the JROTC of Duval County. He then sends the information to all his various leaders. These leaders then encourage the students to apply.
This my sixth year, and we have found great applicants for our scholarships. We have also been able to increase these scholarships over the years. We started with one $500.00 and now we have given two $1000.”
ABOUT ONCE A SOLDIER
Our Veterans are killing themselves in record numbers mostly due to PTSD. An overmatched VA can’t take care of them or their families. We will.
Soldier suicide leaves Veteran families with thousands of dollars of bills unpaid, mostly bank loans.
We are the only nonprofit standing with the families after a veteran suicide. Stand with us.
Our Mission: Become the preferred channel for donors, advocates and volunteers who care about veteran families left behind after a soldier suicide.
Soldier Suicide
ABOUT ONCE A SOLDIER
Our Veterans are killing themselves in record numbers mostly due to PTSD. An overmatched VA can’t take care of them or their families. We will.
Soldier suicide leaves Veteran families with thousands of dollars of bills unpaid, mostly bank loans.
We are the only nonprofit standing with the families after a veteran suicide. Stand with us.
Our Mission: Become the preferred channel for donors, advocates and volunteers who care about veteran families left behind after a soldier suicide.