  22. A number the majority of the military community knows well, but a number that many still don't know. What is the significance of this simple number? It's the number of Veterans that commit suicide...per day. True, this number isn't an "exact" statistic. Statistics rarely are exact. But, to us (the military community), it's a sad fact. About 2 or 3 months ago my Sister, Hollis (whom you'll hear me talk about regularly), sent me an image of herself with the number 22 written on her hands. Next, my very good friend, and Big Brother, sent me his picture. The following day, I took one. From there, it took off. The poignancy of the "22" was not lost on my Brothers and Sisters in Arms, or their loved ones. I was getting images left and right....from friends, and from strangers. It exploded. I was floored. Caught somewhere between, "WOW" and "What do I do now". After much discussion (and some scrambling!), the 22 Portrait Project started. We wanted to show our support for those who are silently struggling. To let them know that they are SO much more than a statistic. And that reaching out for help is NOT a sign of weakness. That we're here to help them fight....and we're here to listen. This project has only grown from here! There are so many more things that we would like to see come from this. And there are so many more things that ARE coming from this. To those who have offered words of support, sent me their 22's, and have offered up their time to me in order to take their picture....I am so extremely thankful. Thank you for showing those who struggle that they are NOT alone in this fight.
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