OCEAN COUNTY — Every day, every single day on average 22 American Veterans and one Active Duty member commits suicide. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is the main cause that so many of our military personal are afflicted with once they return home. The Little Egg Harbor American Legion Post #493 is proud to take on a Veteran Suicide Awareness event to support Ma Deuce Deuce (MA22), a non-profit organization, to raise funds to reverse this statistic.

The benefit on Saturday, August 25 is a two-part event. The first part of the day, kicks off with a motorcycle Dice Run. The second part of the day is a Musicfest and BBQ featuring 10 bands providing continuous music inside and outside at the American Legion post, 420 Radio Road.

The Dice Run begins at Mickey’s Port of Call Pub on Main Street in Tuckerton at 9:30 a.m., with kickstands up at 10:30 a.m. Cars and trucks are also welcome. The event day registration cost to participate in the Dice Run is $25.00 for the rider and $15.00 for a passenger. There is a $5.00 discount per rider and passenger for those who pre-register for the Dice Run prior to August 1. The Dice Run fee includes entry to the Musicfest and BBQ. Send an email to [email protected] for more information.

The Musicfest and BBQ starts at 2:00 p.m. at the Little Egg Harbor American Legion Post #493 on Radio Road. Cost for those not participating in the Dice Run is $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at the LEH American Legion post.

A number of businesses, organizations and clubs are helping to support the benefit through generous contributions. The Platinum Sponsors are: Applebees – Manahawkin, Bill Flannery Automotive, Elks Lodges in Freehold and Marlton, Jessica DiFrancia Realtor – Keller Williams Realty, MICA club, Mickey’s Port of Call Pub, NJ Fraternal Order of Police-Lodge 5, Rider Insurance, Retro Fitness – Tuckerton, Sea Oaks, and R Wireless – a local Verizon authorized dealer located in the Acme plaza in Little Egg Harbor. If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities or wish to make a monetary donation or raffle item, please email [email protected] for more information.

“Money goes to Ma Deuce Deuce, a local non-profit whose mission is to raise awareness of the 22 daily Veteran suicides epidemic as well as provide Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a diversity of restorative and therapeutic programs/non-profit organizations at no cost to the veteran,” said Sherri Korker, Event Organizer. MA22 works closely with Operation Restored Warrior, a non-profit organization whose mission is to “raise up these wounded warriors to speak, share, and move with courage and certainty in order that those held captive to their life experiences may be released. Those men who are alone and without hope may receive a new expectation.”

Join the fight to end Veteran Suicide by participating in the Dice Run and Musicfest/BBQ on Saturday, August 25, 2019. For more information or to pre-register for the Dice Run contact [email protected].  If you are a Veteran and need information on where to get support, please contact the American Legion on Radio Rd. at 609-296-9771.  If you are a Veteran in crisis, please call the Crisis Line at (800) 273-8255.

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