*Parchment United Methodist Church* held a Sunday service dedicated to veterans who died by suicide, laying a brick memorial for a local service member and distributing wristbands to raise awareness about a crisis that continues to plague the military community.

The 10 a.m. service on Sunday, May 24, came one day before Memorial Day and focused on a topic that often gets overlooked in traditional remembrance ceremonies.

"We take time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country," Parchment United Methodist Church Pastor Joe Shaler said at the service.

Church members handed out wristbands that read "22 veterans a day" to attendees. The phrase became a nationally recognized suicide prevention advocacy slogan around 2012, when the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released its first comprehensive Suicide Data Report.

After the service, church members placed a brick to remember a Parchment veteran who died by suicide.

The Numbers Behind the Awareness

The "22 a day" figure that sparked the movement has shifted in recent years. According to VA data, 6,398 veterans died by suicide in 2023, which equated to just over 17 deaths per day. The suicide rate among veterans stands at 35.2 per 100,000 people, more than double the rate in the general U.S. population, according to the VA.

Despite the decline from the original "22 a day" figure, the problem remains severe. More than 60 percent of veterans who die by suicide were not enrolled in VA care in the two years before their death, highlighting a major gap in access and engagement, according to the VA.

What the VA Is Doing Differently

The improvements in suicide prevention come after years of scrutiny over gaps in screening and follow-up care. A 2024 watchdog report found significant failures in VA protocols, prompting the department to tighten oversight and expand outreach.

As of March 2026, the VA reported that 88 percent of veterans who received VA care in the previous year completed an annual suicide risk screening, the highest rate since tracking began in 2021. Additionally, 96 percent of veterans identified as at risk received a comprehensive follow-up evaluation within 24 hours, another record high.

Resources for Veterans in Crisis

The church service also served as a reminder of available support. Veterans or anyone concerned about a veteran can contact the Veterans Crisis Line for 24/7 confidential support. Enrollment in VA benefits or health care is not required to connect with responders.

To reach the crisis line:

  • Dial 988 then Press 1
  • Chat online through the VA website
  • Text 838255

The service in Parchment represents a growing trend of communities addressing veteran suicide directly in their Memorial Day observances, rather than limiting remembrance to those who died in combat.