Message From Our Chaplain

Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460

Veteran-Owned and Serving You Since 1902

At Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460, we know how much it means to serve. As a veteran-owned organization, we are committed to meeting the needs of those in our community. We’ve been open since 1902, and that means we’ve spent over 120 years helping people right here in Solon, IA.

As part of our mission, we are open to the public for meals, special events, and more. To learn more about Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 and what we’re all about, read this recent letter from our chaplain from December 2024.

A Message From Chaplain Doug Thompson

Earlier this year, our Color Guard went to Oelwein, Iowa, where we provided a military burial service for a young veteran who killed himself. It was the first time I ever held in my arms the mother of a deceased veteran I did not know. I tried my best to bring her comfort as she wept bitterly in my arms, her frail body shook with deep mournful sobs. Her tears have long since dried away, but her sobs of anguish cleaved deep within the fibers of my uniform jacket and remain.

September is suicide awareness month. This is the third year that Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience (IVOE) will be holding Ruck-22 walk, which is a 2.2-mile walk while wearing 22 pounds (optional) on our backs. The 22 pounds and 2.2-mile walk are representative of the 22 veterans on average who commit suicide per day. The Ruck-22 is one of IVOE's fundraisers, where we raise money to take veterans fishing, bow hunting, and on bicycle rides, providing support to the veteran at no cost to them.

Many veterans, after they are discharged from service, will start to relive certain events that they took part in, while others may suppress those events. Reliving and/or suppressing those events will often develop into questions of self-doubt. These questions become heavy burdens, like rocks. These rocks weigh the veteran down as they progress into anxiety and depression. Some veterans turn to drugs, alcohol, food, work, extreme volunteerism, or a combination thereof. The rocks are often expressed in the forms of anger, misplaced humor, sex, distrust, unnecessary risk-taking, and, sadly for some, suicide.

I reached out to a number of veterans, and not only did they share one of their rocks, but they also gave me permission to use their rock in this month's Chaplain Message.

“I have killed people. Not just with a rifle but also with a knife, and I didn't feel any emotions; like killing a fly, I felt nothing. How can I explain this to those whom I care about? I am afraid they will look."