Stop SuiSilence Summit

Recently a symposium on veteran suicide was held in Palm Springs, CA, presented by Anne Dunsmore of angelforceusa.com.

This will be an annual event to be held on Dec 7.

Monday night was an evening cocktail soiree of all sponsors and donors held at the home of Sue Groff on the prestigious grounds of The Reserve, in a multi million dollar private estate.

Tuesday morning kicked off the event at the Palm Springs Air Museum at the Miles Hangar, which is named after and honors Major General Kenneth P. Miles. Ann Dunsmore welcomed everyone, then introduced Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia, SSGT U.S. Army (RET).

Speakers included:

Colonel David Sutherland, U.S. Army (RET) JCOS with focus on Warrior Family Support, and current Chairman of the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services.

There were also speakers from American Gold Star Mothers, among one of which was their National President, Sarah Taylor.

Area 5 Vice Commander Rudolph Valadez was asked to attend as a guest speaker on the profile of suicide.

Later that evening a free concert was held in the city of Rancho Mirage and the Angel Force band rocked the evening! The Chairman of the Angel Force band, Jim Cregan, is also part of The Rod Stewart Band and Cregan & Company.

Wednesday was a more serious time as they dove into brain health, discussing the medical progress of bioscience, as well as diagnostics and therapeutics to advance precision brain health.

The symposium was followed by a Gala Reception help at the Major General Miles USAF (RET) hangar, the newest at the Palm Springs Air Museum, featuring Jeff “Skunk” Baxter of The Doobie Brothers, and entertained by Angel Force band.

The event was attended by Past National Vice Commander James Higuera, Area 5 Vice Commander Rudolph Valadez, Area 5 Adjutant Tony Aguilar, Area 5 Judge Advocate and National Media/Communications Committee Amado C Salinas II, Area 5 Communications Officer Tony DeMaio, and Area 5 Historian Lee Wilson.