Suicide Prevention Event at Buckner Physical Fitness Center

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gabriel Avilla, commander of the 673d Communications Squadron and 2nd Lt. John Clark, cyber systems maintenance officer with the 673d Communications Squadron, won a CrossFit competition during a Suicide Prevention event at Buckner Physical Fitness Center at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Sept. 22, 2017. The Alaska Army National Guard partnered with the Anchorage Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in sponsoring a Suicide Prevention Awareness Month 5K walk/run and CrossFit Challenge. The event was hosted at Buckner Physical Fitness Center on JBER. Community resources that assisted with the event were the Anchorage Veterans Center, Veteran Affairs Suicide Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury clinics, the Behavioral Health Office, Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve, and several local mental health providers. They provided tables that highlighted information and services that are available for military personnel and families. The theme of the event was, "There is a Hero in All of Us," and people were encouraged to wear T-shirts of their favorite superhero logo.