Texas 1st Division Vice Commander Dave Etter works with Regiment to set up gaming stations during Mid-Winter Conference and hopes others take up the program as a way to stem veteran suicides.
When Department of Texas 1st Division Vice Commander Dave Etter saw a photo of then-National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola sitting at a gaming station set up at the 2023 American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., it stuck with the Texas Legionnaire.
“Grinning from ear to ear like a kid with brand new toy,” Etter said. “It made my brain start saying, ‘That is exactly what I’ve been talking about. This is a world (older veterans) don’t need to be worried about. I’m one of you (older veterans), and I will help you through it.”
That initial introduction into gaming led Etter to a later introduction with Chris Earl, the founder and CEO of Regiment Gaming – the nation’s largest veteran and military gaming community. And that’s what eventually led to the Department of Texas having a gaming setup at this year’s Mid-Winter Conference in Austin.
“My brain started scheming hard: where and how can I get this going?” Etter said. “I found out that Regiment is based in Texas, is based in my area, and there’s no post near their headquarters. So, I’m looking at that going, ‘How can I find a way to get all of north Texas, all of the posts at least knowing Regiment is in your backyard?’”
With the Mid-Winter Conference approaching in mid-January, Etter received a call from the host hotel asking Etter if he could move to a different room, which ended up being a junior suite.
“Lightbulb went off. Got to call Chris,” Etter said, who reached out to Earl to see if he could use the room’s extra space to set up gaming stations. Although Earl said it would be a tight fit, he said he could make something work.
With all of Regiment’s equipment in California, Earl had to adapt. And he shared how on social media:
“Unfortunately, all of our equipment was in California and wasn’t going to make it in time for the event. So what did I do? I took all of my personal gaming equipment, threw it in a car, drove a few hours to Austin, and set up in a hotel room.
“Life rarely goes according to plan and the ability to think on your feet and use what you have at hand is crucial. The Marine Corps taught me to look at resources - be it time, materials, or even people - in new ways. You don't always need the perfect tools or set up. (Sometimes) you just need to see the potential in what's already around you.”
And his effort was appreciated. “It came out great,” Etter said. “The only thing I wanted to do … was to get game consoles into the hands of the old Texas leaders. And I did. And they all loved it.
“I had to explain to them … you need to make in your post a corner or a room where veterans whom this is there way to come down off the wall and not commit suicide. I hope I sparked a fire and it causes a gigantic bonfire blaze that all of those hurting veterans out there swarm to like moths.”
Etter said providing an outlet like gaming to veterans who may be at risk falls in line with The American Legion’s No. 1 priority: reducing veteran suicides. “I have a personal motto with Be the One. ‘Be the One, stay the one,’” he said. “How stay the one shapes is completely up to you, but you can’t just let somebody who was on the edge one time, you can’t leave them alone. You must Buddy Check them. And the easiest way to Buddy Check them in the times when you have to sleep is give them something to fill the emptiness.
“Chris has got with his system the most solid metrics – proof – that online gaming of this nature prevents veteran suicide. There are veterans who are willing to say that, and say, ‘I was on the edge. I found Regiment. I’m involved. I no longer have any desire to commit suicide. I found my tribe.’ That’s measurable.”
- Be the One