In 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs released an original report stating that an average of 22.2 veterans died by suicide each day. Today the VA reports that the number has dropped to around 17. A change due in part to an increase in veteran advocacy drives and community outreach initiatives to spread awareness of the statistic. Community initiatives like the one that took place here at Las Positas College on Sept. 26.
The event, called the “2.2 for 22 Challenge for Veterans” — a title in reference to the old statistic — was hosted on the LPC track and field and attended by over 300 people.
Consisting of various physical challenges stationed around the track, each challenge referenced the 22-veterans-statistic in some way: Hula-Hoop for 22 seconds, petting a service dog 22 times, doing 22 pushups and army crawling for 22 feet.
The event held each September — Suicide Prevention Month — is intended to bring awareness to veteran mental health and raise money in support of veteran aid. In last year’s annual report, the VA stated that “62% of veterans who died by suicide in 2024 were not receiving VA healthcare in the year they died, or the year prior.”
“Veterans (experience) post-traumatic stress disorder and depression from being overseas. They (serve in) units, go through casualties,” said Keoki Partridge, an event attendee and student assistant for the Las Positas Veterans First Program. “We are trying to help veterans and help the community become aware of what veterans go through.”
A US NAVY serviceman shakes the hand of LPC student veterans during the event. Many such gestures occured througout the event which celebrated the camaraderie and enduring bond shared by those who have served our country. (Photo by Danny Feuer // Special to The Express)
The Las Positas Veterans First Program was the organizer of this event. The program provides academic support, mental health support and peer support for veterans, in addition to directing the Veterans Resource Center on campus.
“We have a couple (veterans) that just want to talk to someone. They actually talk to each other, and they help each other along,” Partridge said. He believed it’s important for veterans to have “someone to actually communicate and relate to.”
The “2.2 for 22 Challenge for Veterans” event also functioned as a fundraiser for the Veterans First Program. Organizations such as Nuvision Credit and Pleasanton Lions Club donated thousands. A total of over $5,000 was raised for the veterans mental health programs and scholarships for LPC student veterans.
Along with civilians, many past and current service members from the Army, U.S. Navy, Marines and Airforce were engaged in the festivities.
“I’ve been involved in all sorts of events,” Harold Kurz, former U.S. Naval SeaBees veteran, said. “Being a part of the community really helps.”
Local veteran organizations also took part in the event. The Valley Veteran Foundation, a local nonprofit, provides scholarships to LPC student veterans — including a $5,000 grant for women veterans.
“The veterans that are going to school here, I find that (they) have families and children at home,” VVF President Ken Norvell said. “They’re trying to better themselves by getting an education. … So I’m really happy to be able to help them out a little bit.”
Blue Star Moms, another nonprofit, also tabled at the event. The organization is run by mothers with children who currently serve or have served in the military.
“The families, I think, generally keep what’s going on on the mental health side quiet unless you’re a good friend. It’s still a stigma,” Blue Star Moms member Jaci Beering said.
Robert Quevedo was another veteran who attended the event. Quevedo, who served in the Marine Corps from 1998-2002, said he comes from a long lineage of service members who served in both World War II and Vietnam. The issue is very personal to him, having seen the struggles veterans face up close — physically and mentally — and experiencing those same struggles himself.
“It’s a big thing America needs to get behind, because we put ourselves out there. We sacrifice our bodies, our mental status and beat up our bodies before the age of 25,” Quevedo said. “You go from having a purpose to not having a purpose. That’s like going from 100 miles an hour to (a) dead stop.”
POWERING THROUGH a unique challenge, veterans dared to complete 22 squats while holding a heavy book or stack of books. This creative challenge was hosted by the LPC Library staff. (Photo by Flemming Kongsberg // Special to The Express)
The adjustment into civilian life was a struggle for Quevedo, as it is for many veterans. It took him 10 years to adjust. He admitted he still struggles even now.
“I have my moments … I have to find something to do to occupy my time so I don’t do something dumb or start thinking crazy ideas,” Quevedo said.
He explained that occupying his time entails: working at a hospital, working on his truck, simply taking a walk or attending college events. The kind that he believes helps many veterans transition back into civilian life.
“We need to cultivate this culture of resources for the veterans, otherwise we’re going to lose 22 veterans a day,” Quevedo said. “That is not acceptable, because that is 22 families affected every single time.”
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TOP PHOTO: Community members stand amongst the various flags of US Armed Forces on a hill overlooking the LPC track and field. As part of the opening ceremony it set the tone for the day, uniting everyone in gratitude for veterans. (Photo by Gary Wilkes // Special to The Express)
Nuha Maflahi is the Campus Life Editor for The Express. Follow her on X @NuhaMaflahiLPC. Jo Rojas is the Arts & Entertainment Editor for the Express. Follow them on Instagram @itsajobrainer.
