Chartered in 2017, the Laramore Osborn American Legion Post 100 in Royce City, Texas, has become a valued member of the community. Approximately 80 members participate in the Boys State program in this post, providing assistance to local homeless veterans, hosting events honoring Vietnam War veterans, and volunteering at local nursing homes. I did.
But the post also recognizes the importance of taking care of yourself, which is why its members started a Buddy Check program early on. Originally conducted quarterly, buddy checks are now bi-monthly and are an opportunity to check in on both current and former members and keep members informed about what is happening at the post.
“I’ve been doing this job for three years as chair, and I’ve never had a negative outcome where I said, ‘Please, please don’t call me,'” said Jim Watson, Post 100’s first deputy commander. . . “Most of our members appreciate us calling them. In fact, we’ve even had some members call us back and say, ‘We got your message.’ thank you. ‘
“Buddy checks were important for our post, especially because we have a lot of members who are aging. I think every month they get sick or are hospitalized or something like that. But it’s not just that. You’ll find members who need it.”
This post conducts regular monthly buddy checks on members in accordance with the guidance provided by the Buddy Check Toolkit provided through National Headquarters. When time permits, Buddy Check Committee members also plan to call former members to encourage them to return to their posts and ask why they left their posts.
The second buddy check session involves the post’s executive leadership and provides information on what the post is involved in, where committee participation is needed, etc. to keep officers in front of members. Watson said he focuses on the latest information. “A lot of people don’t read emails and stuff, so this gives us an opportunity to say, ‘We’re going to have a registration drive in front of Walmart on March 4th.’ We’d love to do that.” Participate in it. ” That type of thing. And as we move forward with our program, we’re seeing more and more young veterans. ”
The post originally said buddy check calls would be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Fridays, but the call was moved to Mondays due to high response rates. “We were getting a lot of voicemails,” Watson said. “When you come on Monday night, you get more people and you actually get to talk to someone. By joining on Monday night, I think the attendance has probably increased by 40 percent.”
The Post Office Buddy Check Committee includes both post office employees and pastors. That’s by specification.
“If you find someone who is struggling or needs someone to talk to, maybe they have a billing issue or they need a pastor, I want to bring them here tonight. ” Watson said. “We can ask them for help right away. That’s one thing I think is very important.”
The post also plans to make the Legion’s Be the One suicide prevention program part of Buddy Check. Watson said he and other members would like to participate in the “Be the One” online training offered by Regions University and Columbia University.
“Suicide awareness is probably our most important program within this post,” Watson said. “We’re working on getting people more trained in that area, where they’re more aware when they’re talking to people, when they see the signs, and they’re also working on suicide awareness programs like Buddy Check. will be able to be introduced.”
