LEGION LANE NEW AT JOHNNY APPLESEED FESTIVAL

(Crystal Lake, IL) Family-friendly Johnny Appleseed Festival will feature a new tent full of fun for kids and their parents hosted by William Chandler Peterson American Legion Post 171 at the Downtown Crystal Lake Main Street event on Sept. 30 from 9 am to 4 pm.

The Crystal Lake Legion has focused on providing resources for veterans in previous years at the Vets4Veteran and Blue Families events. This year, the leadership decided to join in the fun at Downtown Crystal Lake’s biggest festival. “The families will be at Johnny Appleseed and so will we,” said Commander Charlie Morgan. “Our tent will include games for the kids, burros to ride, as well as information for parents about veteran benefits, suicide prevention, help and hope.”

Post 171 has been recognized by the national Legion for their efforts to build awareness of PTSD, suicide prevention and women veteran issues. Commander Morgan explained, “Statistics tell us the 22 veterans per day struggle and lose the battle to suicide. Women veterans are now more than 20% of our military. They are soldiers who served and sustain their own traumas and challenges.” “Our emphasis on women veterans occurred when we learned that they are 250 percent more likely to attempt and die from suicide than women who did not serve in the military,” said Morgan.

That statistic, coupled with the National American Legion program titled “Be the One,” which emphasizes being present and ready to act when a veteran is at risk for suicide, galvanized the Crystal Lake Legion into action.

In addition to the events planned, Morgan reported that Post 171 was in discussions with a women’s veteran organization called “SheForce”. The objective is to start a chapter of the group in McHenry County.

Under the Legion Lane tents will be representatives from Veterans Path to Hope, and other veteran programs offering information and connections.