LEWES, Del- A powerful new display is taking shape outside St. Jude the Apostle Church in Lewes, where 22 white crosses now line the front lawn in a tribute to the number of U.S. veterans lost to suicide each day.
The project, organized by the Knights of Columbus and the nonprofit group 22aday, will continue through July 6.
Every morning at 9:30 a.m., community members are invited to gather and help place 22 more crosses. By the end, more than 600 are expected to fill the lawn.
“The whole idea is to highlight the fact that 22 veterans a day are committing suicide,” said Dom Browski, leader of the assembly of the 4th Degree of the Knights of Columbus in Lewes. “There’s a serious problem and we need to address it.”
Attendees can honor a loved one by adding their name to a cross — a gesture organizers say will be preserved over time.
“If any of them have lost a veteran to suicide, they can place that veteran's name on a cross,” said Jon Luker, secretary and treasurer of 22 a Day. “We preserve that forever. When we repaint the crosses, we put the name back on.”
Jon Luker, secretary and treasurer of '22 a Day' hands a cross to a fellow volunteer during the daily tribute to veterans lost to suicide.
The growing field of crosses is intended to raise awareness and encourage action.
“People need to know that if somebody in their family, a friend, what have you, seems to be going through a period of distress, take action,” Browski said. “Talk with them. Get them in to see somebody. Don’t ignore it.”
Organizers hope the growing visual impact of the memorial will move people to help address the crisis.
“It really gets that message out and does it in an impactful way,” Browski said.
A growing memorial, and a call to care for those who’ve served.