A new way to stop veteran suicide: images of loved ones on firearms

May 31, 2019 12:27 am

HARRISVILLE, R.I. (WLNE) — Veterans say returning to daily civilian life can be an unimaginable struggle.

“People call us heroes,” said Steven Frye, a resident of Greene and member of the Rhode Island Combat Veterans Combat Motorcycle Association. “But when you’re back here and you’re no longer doing what you were trained to do, it takes a very big toll on you.”

That’s why this group led by the Rhode Island Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association is trying something different with the new SafeGuard program placing images of loved ones and friends directly on veterans’ firearms.

“That needs to provide the final few seconds to realize this is not the path I want to travel, this is not what I want to do, and put it down, step away, and seek help,” said Steve Mondaca of the RI Combat Veterans Combat Motorcycle Association.

Those images etched onto the guns or applied using hydrographics — all for free.

“I’m not a veteran,” said Matt Champagne of Champagne Hydrographics, which will be completing the work. “I’ve never served. But I’m an American. As an American this is my opportunity to be able to give back.”

The program also connects veterans with other veterans and professional counseling. If a veteran feels particularly vulnerable and in need of help, there would also be a system in place for them to temporarily give up their guns until they’re in a better emotional state.

But if all of that isn’t enough, a picture on a gun in those crucial moments can change everything.

“It’s the last line of defense, but I think it’s going to be a formidable one,” said Matthew Sullivan of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. “When it comes to picking up that firearm and seeing the one thing that you hold dearer than anything else in the world, it’s going to be hard to take that next step.”

Their only regret is not doing it sooner.

“I wish it had been in place for Matt, for Todd, for guys I know,” Mondaca said. “And that’s been the common theme: I wish this had been a thing before.”

The SafeGuard program is completely free and voluntary for veterans.