Legion Family members encouraged to take part in Buddy Check Week, tune into live streaming of Oct. 22 Buddy Check Summit.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ second annual Veteran Buddy Check Week takes place this week nationwide, during which time veterans are encouraged to talk to 10 veteran friends and families to check in, connect with peers and increase access to VA and community resources. VA is asking veterans to take the Buddy Check Pledge here.
The American Legion started its own Buddy Check program in 2019. In the five years since then, well over 1 million veterans have been contacted by their fellow Legionnaires
For American Legion Family members taking part in Buddy Check weeks or performing Buddy Checks at any time, here are some resources to assist those efforts:
· A Buddy Check Toolkit that explains the program, provides steps to conducting a successful Buddy Check, gives sample scripts and more.
· A Buddy Check doorhanger that is printer-friendly and can be customized as a leave-behind when Legion Family members visit a veteran who is not a home.
· Additional resources, including a media advisory and suggested press release.
Also during Buddy Check Week, The American Legion will take part in the first-ever VA/American Red Cross Veteran Buddy Check Summit from 9-11:15 a.m. Oct. 22 in Washington, D.C. Waco Hoover, chairman of the Legion’s Be the One veteran suicide prevention program, will join with VA leadership, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, American Corporate Partners and others during a series of presentations during the event.
You can watch the summit’s live stream here.
If American Legion posts, districts or departments are planning a Buddy Check event, please remember to share your stories and photos from the event in the Buddy Check section of Legiontown.
- Buddy Check