Legion hosts 22 A Day remembrance ceremony
Nonprofit aims to prevent veteran suicide
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield perform a folded flag ceremony to recognize veteran lives lost to suicide at American Legion Post 28. DENY HOWETH PHOTOS
Crystal Acord, mother of Marine Nicholas Acord, Jr., gives a stirring speech to the crowd gathered to recognize the 22 A Day event. She said just because they can laugh doesn't mean they are okay. 
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield fold a flag during the closing ceremony.
The final cross placed by the Post 28 Auxiliary points out that each cross representing a veteran's life lost also represents all of them. 
The American Legion Post 28 honor guard offers a gun salute and plays taps before the flag-folding ceremony.
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield salute during the ceremony.
A $1,500 donation was made to the 22 A Day organization from Warrior Weekend members. Shown are (l-r) Tom Dahl, commander of Post 5 in Rehoboth; Jim Lafferty, president; Karen Marvel, treasurer; June Jones, auxiliary president at Post 28; and Buddy Clark.
A month-long endeavour placing flags and crosses daily ended with a closing ceremony. 
The Post 28 Auxiliary donates $500. Shown are (l-r) Robin Airey, chaplain; June Jones, president; and Carolyn Kelly.
Post 28 donates $500. Shown are (l-r) Robin Airey, chaplain; Post Commander Joe Brown; June Jones, auxiliary president; and Acting Adjutant Jim Beattie.
Crystal Acord impresses on the crowd to always check on returning soldiers, because they may laugh and joke with friends and family, but the could be deeply hurt by the war they served in. 
A closing ceremony was held for the 22 A Day event at American Legion Post 28.May 26, 2026
Event Date:
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield perform a folded flag ceremony to recognize veteran lives lost to suicide at American Legion Post 28. DENY HOWETH PHOTOS
Crystal Acord, mother of Marine Nicholas Acord, Jr., gives a stirring speech to the crowd gathered to recognize the 22 A Day event. She said just because they can laugh doesn't mean they are okay.
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield fold a flag during the closing ceremony.
The final cross placed by the Post 28 Auxiliary points out that each cross representing a veteran's life lost also represents all of them.
The American Legion Post 28 honor guard offers a gun salute and plays taps before the flag-folding ceremony.
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield salute during the ceremony.
A $1,500 donation was made to the 22 A Day organization from Warrior Weekend members. Shown are (l-r) Tom Dahl, commander of Post 5 in Rehoboth; Jim Lafferty, president; Karen Marvel, treasurer; June Jones, auxiliary president at Post 28; and Buddy Clark.
A month-long endeavour placing flags and crosses daily ended with a closing ceremony.
The Post 28 Auxiliary donates $500. Shown are (l-r) Robin Airey, chaplain; June Jones, president; and Carolyn Kelly.
Post 28 donates $500. Shown are (l-r) Robin Airey, chaplain; Post Commander Joe Brown; June Jones, auxiliary president; and Acting Adjutant Jim Beattie.
Crystal Acord impresses on the crowd to always check on returning soldiers, because they may laugh and joke with friends and family, but the could be deeply hurt by the war they served in.
A closing ceremony was held for the 22 A Day event at American Legion Post 28.
American Legion Post 28 recognized the closing of the 22 A Day cross ceremony May 26. Since 2019, the nonprofit 22 A Day has been supporting veterans who consider suicide. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 22 American veterans per day lose their lives to suicide.
Locally, organizations have staged the crosses for a month at a time, remembering each veteran. The American Legion Post 28 Auxiliary spent the month placing 22 crosses and flags each day for 31 days, including Memorial Day.
The crosses are a visual representation of the lives lost to suicide. Crystal, mother of Nicholas Acord Jr., offered the keynote speech through tears. She said no one suspected he was having trouble; he laughed and joked with everyone, but he was harboring the hidden burden of war.
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield perform a folded flag ceremony to recognize veteran lives lost to suicide at American Legion Post 28. DENY HOWETH PHOTOS
Crystal Acord, mother of Marine Nicholas Acord, Jr., gives a stirring speech to the crowd gathered to recognize the 22 A Day event. She said just because they can laugh doesn't mean they are okay.
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield fold a flag during the closing ceremony.
The final cross placed by the Post 28 Auxiliary points out that each cross representing a veteran's life lost also represents all of them.
The American Legion Post 28 honor guard offers a gun salute and plays taps before the flag-folding ceremony.
Ken Mellon, left, and Richard Mansfield salute during the ceremony.
A $1,500 donation was made to the 22 A Day organization from Warrior Weekend members. Shown are (l-r) Tom Dahl, commander of Post 5 in Rehoboth; Jim Lafferty, president; Karen Marvel, treasurer; June Jones, auxiliary president at Post 28; and Buddy Clark.
A month-long endeavour placing flags and crosses daily ended with a closing ceremony.
The Post 28 Auxiliary donates $500. Shown are (l-r) Robin Airey, chaplain; June Jones, president; and Carolyn Kelly.
Post 28 donates $500. Shown are (l-r) Robin Airey, chaplain; Post Commander Joe Brown; June Jones, auxiliary president; and Acting Adjutant Jim Beattie.
Crystal Acord impresses on the crowd to always check on returning soldiers, because they may laugh and joke with friends and family, but the could be deeply hurt by the war they served in.
A closing ceremony was held for the 22 A Day event at American Legion Post 28.Event Details :
Event Date:
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