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Joy, Illinois parade aims to start conversation about striking number of veteran suicides

A parade held in Joy, Illinois was aimed at raising awareness to the tragic number of veteran suicides happen in the United States. On Saturday, June 13, 2015, ...

A parade held in Joy, Illinois was aimed at raising awareness to the tragic number of veteran suicides happen in the United States.

On Saturday, June 13, 2015, there were 22 horses lined up on the city streets. They were set up to represent the 22 veterans who commit suicide daily.  On each horse there were two photographs of veterans who have taken their own lives. Each rider carried a full size American flag.

A Joy business owner who helped organize the parade said there was a reason for the way they presented this issue.

"Suicide is ugly," said Lori Nelson, Joy business owner. "Death of the military is really ugly. Nobody wants to see it. That's why I decided horses would be the answer to that challenge."

Veterans make up more than 22 percent of suicides each year, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. 

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