Buddy Check offers emotional community for veterans and first responders

BEATRICE, Neb. (KLKN) — Veterans and first responders meet on the 22nd of each month to support each other. Buddy Check, a group that supports veterans and first responders, works towards eliminating and reducing suicides in the veterans and first responders community.

They meet on the 22nd because, when this all started four years ago, the average number of veterans/first responders that died by suicide per day was 22. Today, the average is 17.5 per day, according to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

“The good thing about this is if a veteran is having a rough patch, they can come in here and just vent,” Davin Stege, an attending veteran, said.

Veterans get together to share a meal, drinks, laughs and conversations with each other.

“The whole idea of this is just to get everyone together in a room,” Stege said. “People with PTSD, people without PTSD. Sometimes it’s just veterans supporting other veterans or first responders.”

The Buddy Check group connects through Facebook for information.