22 white crosses

 A new public awareness campaign has been initiated in Oconee County by members of the Walhalla Garden Club to draw attention to what is a national problem. Jerry Dyar, county veterans’ affairs officer, says the movement, which originated earlier this year in the Midwest, calls national attention to the fact that 22 veterans daily are committing suicide as the result of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other severe problems related to their military service. Juanita Dettman, a member of the Walhalla Garden Club, along with another club member, contacted the Oconee Veterans Affairs Office about placing 22 small white crosses in the Veterans Park at the Courthouse in Walhalla as a symbol and awareness.
Dettman said the plan for the 22 white crosses is to be on display in the veterans park at the Walhalla Courthouse over the holiday season and then beginning next September, (National Suicide Prevention Month) the crosses will again be on display as a stark reminder. The Walhalla Garden Club hopes all Oconee County citizens will take the time to visit the display at the Oconee County Veterans Park on Walhalla’s Main Street in front of the courthouse.