This Monday, we officially honor our military veterans. The everyday heroes who put their lives on hold to defend the rest of us.

But Veterans Day is another of those holidays where we talk a good game, but ignore some sobering facts about veterans that should inspire us to do more for them.

According to the latest report from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the VA), an average of twenty veterans die by suicide every day. I don’t presume to know the reasons, but I know from personal experience the impact those deaths have on their families.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation has been very active in the idea of suicide prevention. Those efforts have made a difference, but the closely knit community of military veterans comes from a warrior culture that encourages “sucking it up” rather than sharing challenges. That culture makes the transition from military civilian life just too-tough for some veterans to make.

That’s where the organization Aiming For Zero comes in. Founded in 2014 by Chris Tessier, the organization has a very simple mission statement: “to prevent veteran suicides by raising awareness of the unique challenges faced by veterans and their families.”

Aiming for Zero goes about this in a decidedly unique fashion: outreach via shooting events. Events focusing on family and building a community that includes shooters, veterans, their families and willing partners in the outdoor industry.

Last weekend, I attended an Aiming for Zero event at Grand Rivers Shooting Range in Kentucky. For me, Grand Rivers is more a home range than a place I visit. It’s home to the Metal Madness Shooting Sports Association, and owned/run by Army veteran Ed White. Ed’s gone out of his way to make my too-infrequent visits to Grand River memorable. This event was no different, but the reason for the event struck a nerve I’d thought had deadened decades ago.

Aiming for Zero isn’t one of those organizations that plays on heartstrings for results. It’s focused on its mission -helping veterans feel they’re again part of a community.

Veterans have an almost innate ability to find each other and talk (top). While they were talking, some youngsters were taking advantage of the opportunity to try out various shooting sports -under the watchful eye of range officers and family members (bottom).

This event was billed as an introduction to shooting sports. Metal Madness, IDPA, USPSA, Steel Challenge, ICORE and Metal Madness Unlimited all had simplified demonstration stages. Everyone was invited to give them a try.

Seeing elderly veterans try their hand at Steel Challenge, then hand the guns off to young shooters made the appeal obvious. Everyone, regardless of age or ability, was enjoying the opportunity to try the different disciplines-and the Ruger supplied firearms.

Watching young shooters rip through the stages reminded me why I’ve given up on serious competition. Watching other, more mature, participants methodically hit the same targets reminded me -again- that shooting is a very inclusive sport.

The Aiming for Zero event was free to everyone.

With today’s financial pressures, the idea of a free event is a natural attractant for both veterans and families looking for something fun to do that won’t put more stress on their finances.

That’s when the generosity of the shooting industry shone brightly. Ruger, Aguila, Hornady and other companies supplied guns, ammunition, and a number of very nice raffle items. And raffles and auctions are how Aiming For Zero funds itself.

Raffle items included a customized Ruger 22/45 pistol from Creekside Customs (top). But there were other guns in the raffle, including a Ruger Max-9 pistol won by reality-TV celebrity and Firebird Targets representative Ton Jones. Jones’ smile tells the story.

A Falling Steel event in New Hampshire earlier this year brought in $24,000. Brisk bidding on live auction items and raffle ticket sales indicate the Grand Rivers event will help fund future events, too.

It’s worth noting that Aiming For Zero is a totally volunteer organization. Other than actual expenses, 100 percent of all funds raised at Aiming For Zero events goes to their mission of helping prevent veteran suicides.

Aiming For Zero’s mission statement best explains how fun events help: “by fostering camaraderie, building lasting bonds within the veteran community, fundraising, and supporting organizations which serve veterans.”

Aiming For Zero focuses on three things: community engagement, compassion and empathy, and commitment to action.

I’m not a veteran, but I am a shooter. Sharing my competition mistakes enabled me to relax one veteran who’d never shot a competition stage. Seeing him relax and enjoy the experience, reinforced my realization that shooting is the most inclusive of all sporting experiences. Experienced shooters welcomed me to competition -and made me feel welcome in their circles.

Being part of something larger than yourself is a key piece of the military ethos. Losing that sense of belonging can begin a long slide into depression, especially if veterans feel isolated. Taking part in a welcoming event like this one can be the bridge that helps a struggling veteran realize they’re not alone.

Veterans Day is a great time for each to us to take one of the first steps Aiming For Zero says helps all veterans: expressing our gratitude for their service.

As we get ready to head into this Veterans Day holiday, ours is a simple message to all veterans:

Thank you for your service.

— Jim Shepherd