BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order to create a special task force that will work to expand outreach efforts and compile up-to-date research on veteran’s suicide.
Welcome news for Glenn Ditillio who was a marine for five years. He knows how difficult it can be to come home after serving your country.
So, he set up a small organization called Your New Life. Their goal is to help veterans reconnect to their community and help the community reconnect with veterans.
Ditillio was happy to hear President Trump call for more attention on veteran suicides. He hopes that means more money for more organizations, including his.
“If they put the financing there and make it a little more accessible. Then we'll have the funding we need to get those pieces put together for our organizations that are out there,” added Ditillio.
There are more than 6,000 veteran suicides every year, an average of 20 per day. The federal government says of those 20 only six are under the care of the VA.
Ditillio says when he came home from the Middle East, he didn't want medical treatment. He wanted purpose. He hopes this task force leads to more options for veterans who aren’t looking for traditional options to re-entering the civilian world.
