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Veterans Celebrate Fourth of July Early

Photo courtesy of Coffee Bunker
Veterans gather at Coffee Bunker at 41st and Sheridan for an early Independence Day celebration

A refuge for veterans celebrates Fourth of July early with a barbecue. 

 

Coffee Bunker is a nonprofit focused on helping veterans and active duty service members. 

 

Greg Bilbruck is Coffee Bunker’s chaplain. 

 

“We’re here cooking for veterans, for family and friends of veterans.”

 

Bilbruck said Coffee Bunker usually serves about 40 veterans a day with its transition services and food pantry, but he guessed about 100 veterans would pass through for the barbecue.

 

Events like these are designed to offer support for veterans who are looking for camaraderie or who have lost their way. Bilbruck said the average number of veterans who kill themselves on average per day is now 22.

 

Since 9/11, military suicides have become four times higher than deaths occurring during war operations. 

 

7,057 service members have died on war duty since September 11th, 2001. Suicides among active duty members and veterans of 9/11 and other subsequent conflicts have reached 30,177.