WEBVTT 00:03.119 --> 00:05.539 Today , I speak to you not only as your 00:05.550 --> 00:08.109 commanding officer , but as someone who 00:08.119 --> 00:10.063 is deeply concerned about each and 00:10.063 --> 00:13.550 every one of you , every person in this 00:13.560 --> 00:16.299 organization matters . You're part of a 00:16.309 --> 00:18.750 proactive leadership that's helping to 00:18.760 --> 00:20.927 shape the future of our organization . 00:21.649 --> 00:23.870 Our military is not just a force of 00:23.879 --> 00:26.212 strength and courage on the battlefield . 00:27.040 --> 00:30.559 We are a family , we're a community , 00:31.659 --> 00:34.250 a community that thrives on camaraderie 00:34.259 --> 00:37.119 and support . Yet there are moments 00:37.130 --> 00:41.009 when the challenges that we face 00:41.810 --> 00:44.279 can become overwhelming and it's during 00:44.290 --> 00:47.430 these times that we must come 00:47.849 --> 00:50.569 together even more . Suicide is a 00:50.580 --> 00:53.150 serious public health issue and it 00:53.159 --> 00:56.060 affects not only individuals , 00:57.090 --> 01:00.229 it affects our entire organization . 01:00.360 --> 01:04.220 Each loss diminishes all of us . 01:05.300 --> 01:07.319 And it's our duty to prevent these 01:07.330 --> 01:11.139 tragedies from happening . As soldiers 01:11.150 --> 01:14.269 and airmen , we're trained to face the 01:14.279 --> 01:17.709 enemy head on . But there 01:17.720 --> 01:20.860 are battles fought in silence . 01:21.750 --> 01:24.699 There's battles within ourselves that 01:24.709 --> 01:27.400 are even more challenging and more 01:27.410 --> 01:30.769 critical . I want you to know that 01:30.779 --> 01:34.669 seeking help is not a sign of weakness . 01:34.760 --> 01:38.540 It takes tremendous courage to 01:38.550 --> 01:42.150 confront personal struggles and to 01:42.160 --> 01:45.889 reach out for support . There are 01:45.900 --> 01:48.919 many resources available to each and 01:48.930 --> 01:51.152 every one of you , there's counselors , 01:51.152 --> 01:54.089 there's chaplains and your fellow 01:54.099 --> 01:56.730 National Guard members , many who have 01:56.739 --> 01:59.169 undergone specialized training and 01:59.180 --> 02:01.790 mental health support . These are not 02:01.800 --> 02:04.620 just services , they are lifelines that 02:04.629 --> 02:08.458 can make a profound difference . They 02:08.468 --> 02:12.380 can save lives and we must look out for 02:12.389 --> 02:14.279 one another , not just on the 02:14.289 --> 02:17.089 battlefield but in our everyday lives . 02:17.419 --> 02:19.308 If you notice a fellow soldier or 02:19.308 --> 02:22.300 airman showing signs of distress or 02:22.309 --> 02:24.369 withdraw , you know , they have 02:24.380 --> 02:28.110 challenges in their lives . Reach out . 02:28.130 --> 02:31.350 Sometimes a simple conversation can 02:31.360 --> 02:33.929 save a life . And remember the acronym 02:33.940 --> 02:36.979 Ace ask care . 02:38.740 --> 02:41.559 It can also save a life . Our strength 02:41.580 --> 02:43.800 lies not only in our equipment and our 02:43.809 --> 02:46.710 training but in our compassion and 02:46.720 --> 02:49.759 solidarity . Remember , there's no 02:49.770 --> 02:52.169 shame in asking for help . It's a 02:52.179 --> 02:54.350 testament to your strength and 02:54.360 --> 02:56.750 commitment to yourself and to your 02:56.759 --> 02:59.690 teammates . We are a team and together 02:59.699 --> 03:01.949 we can overcome any challenge . Let us 03:01.960 --> 03:05.669 stand united in our resolve to support 03:05.679 --> 03:08.509 one another and to ensure that no one 03:08.520 --> 03:10.576 fights alone . I wanna thank you for 03:10.576 --> 03:12.860 your service , your bravery , your 03:12.869 --> 03:16.160 dedication , stay strong , 03:16.559 --> 03:19.910 stay vigilant and let us to continue to 03:19.919 --> 03:22.190 protect not only our community , state 03:22.199 --> 03:25.429 and nation , but also each other .