January 24, 2026
Submitted by:
Eric Mens, Public Affairs Officer
American Legion Post 68 Leland
Ph (703) 626-9104
January 2026 has been busy for the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 Be The One team.
The team, led by former Post Commander John Hacker, consists of a dozen Post 68 members
and was formed in response to the National Headquarters of the American Legion’s call to action
to help address an alarming increase in veteran suicides. Suicide respects no gender, age, social
or economic status, or geographical boundaries. According to data from the Veterans
Administration (VA), more than 18-24 veterans die by suicide each day. * By the VA’s own
admission, that number may be significantly higher if deaths from severe alcohol or drug abuse
are factored in.
The Be The One suicide awareness program seeks to accomplish two primary goals: to
destigmatize public discussion of veteran suicide and to increase public awareness about the
issue and available support. Post 68’s team uses a two-pronged approach in implementing Be The
One, focusing first on education to make conversations about veteran suicide more open, and
second on connecting individuals with critical resources to support prevention.
The local program depends on donations and grants to facilitate its efforts, distribute materials,
and provide training. The team developed a brief training session to promote public awareness
and highlight tools available in the community. The team also created and distributed a wallet-
sized plastic resource card that allows users to access key services, including veteran, financial,
medical, food, housing, and drug rehab resources. In addition, it developed a 10-point program to
help other Legion organizations start their own initiatives.
Recognizing the team’s leadership, the American Legion, Department of NC, has designated
Post 68 to lead the state’s Legion Be The One program. In 2025, Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo
honored the team, while John Hacker, the team’s leader, received Leland’s Citizen of the Year
award.
Over the past two years, the team provided suicide awareness training and demonstrated the
resource tool to hundreds of area law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency responders,
and community leaders, including veterans, veteran service officers, other service organization
members, and church leaders. It delivered training to leadership, officials, and members of the
Brunswick County Sheriff’s Department, the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, various
North Carolina Legion Posts, Brunswick County service providers, and churches. The team plans
to conduct awareness and training sessions with the Carolina Beach City Council and all
Brunswick County Sheriff Department Deputies. Organizations, public officials, and others
interested in learning more about Post 68’s Be The One program and how they can get involved
should contact John Hacker at [email protected].
The John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 meets at 6 pm every third Thursday in the
Blossoms Restaurant Banquet Room (1800 Tommie Jacobs Drive, Leland, NC). For those who
wish to participate, members gather at 4:30 pm in Blossoms Restaurant for dinner and a social
hour preceding the meeting.
To learn more about how veterans can join the American Legion or
how Post 68 Legion programs and projects benefit our veterans and community, visit
https://ncpost68.org/. The next Post meeting will be on February 19, 2026.
* Visit https://missionrollcall.org/veteran-voices/articles/the-state-of-veteran-suicide/
