Just after turning 18 in August 1981, I joined the Navy as an aviation mechanic and got to work on helicopters, which was pretty cool. Overall, I spent seven years in active duty and another 16 in the Reserves.  

Seeing the world was a big benefit. I was stationed in San Diego, spent time in Hong Kong and served in Afghanistan. When you go overseas, though, you also see things that are unthinkable to many people. Then, after your deployment, you come home. They train you for all kinds of things to get ready to go overseas, but there isn’t much when you come home and reintegrate into society. 

Lots of people have a hard time when they come back. I had a hard time. 

That’s why I’m so involved with the American Legion here. At the hospital, I also try to connect with anyone who is a veteran and let them know there are all kinds of resources to help them. 

I’m doing a lot of work at the Legion with the Be the One campaign, which helps struggling veterans who are thinking about committing suicide. Two years ago, we were losing 22 veterans a day to suicide nationally. That’s down to about 17 a day. It’s still astronomically high, but more of our servicemen and women are getting the help they need. 

A lot of it is just making a connection. I’ll sit down at night with a list of 10 veterans I’m going to call and do a buddy check with, just to see how they’re doing. I usually only get through three. They just want someone to talk to for a while who understands. You can hear the relief when they realize they’re not alone, and that help is out there. 

If I can prevent even one suicide, that makes all the difference to me. That’s my mission now. 

Joe Patnode, plant operations mechanic at University of Vermont Health - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, has been with us for 36 years..