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Tennessee’s Be the One Mid-South Roundup an opportunity for Legion Family members to come together while raising funds for state’s veteran suicide prevention efforts.

17�Թ���’s veteran suicide prevention mission has taken on a special meaning for Tennessee American Legion Riders State Director Jared Melton.

The Director of American Legion Riders Chapter 77 in Lexington and Post 77’s sergeant-at-arms, Melton has seen both the impact of veteran suicide and the ability of Be the One to stem that tide. That’s why he’s spearheading an event in May that will both promote and raise funds for Tennessee’s Be the One effort, as well as create camaraderie among the Tennessee American Legion Family.

From May 15-17 at the Putnam County Convention Center in Cookeville, Tennessee’s American Legion Riders are hosting the , inviting Tennessee Legion Family members – and those in surrounding states – to participate in various activities and rides, while also fundraising for the department’s Be the One Commission established by Department of Tennessee Commander Todd McKinley.

Melton’s son-in-law, who served in the U.S. Army, died by suicide. And Melton’s brother-in-law – a Navy veteran – also had thoughts of suicide, but Melton feels that Be the One helped save his life. A Be the One Wallet card that had the phone number of the back of it was a lifeline, Melton said.

“It was one of those cases where had we not had the information about Be the One … with the phone number on the back, had we not had it, he may not be here,” Melton said. “It saved his life. And I’ve heard several stories … of people that have run into the same thing and have used that card to save another person’s life.

“Be the One hits home. It works. So, can I advocate for it? One hundred and twenty percent.”

Melton said after he became ALR state director last summer he realized his Riders wanted a way to raise money for the department that would benefit Tennesseans. He formed a committee to come up with some kind of event that would bring the Tennessee American Legion Family closer together.

“It would be hosted by the Riders, something the Riders can be engaged in,” Melton said. “And my idea was having something for our Riders chapters across Tennessee to be more engaged with each other and get the Legion Family in the Department of Tennessee become more engaged with the Riders.

“I talked to Todd about it, and he said it would be nice if we could do some sort of fundraiser. And I said, ‘I may have an idea’.”

The Be the One Mid-South Roundup will include scavenger hunts and fun routes for the Riders, live music and activities for families. Money raised from the event will go to the Be the One Commission.

“It’s some way for us to help our department, and help veterans and veterans’ families across the state, all in one shot,” Melton said. “At the end of the day, I would like to see our chapters be more cohesive with their posts. But the purpose behind this, mainly, is to support the Be the One Commission for the Department of Tennessee.”