Shirley Vet Paddles Across Long Island Sound For PTSD Awareness

SHIRLEY, NY — A U.S. Navy veteran from Shirley paddled across Long Island Sound with a team of other PSEG Long Island employees in support of Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness, according to a news release.

George Ritter, a foreman and trainer, and six other veterans on his team, took part in the “22 PTSD Awareness Challenge,”were trying to shine a light on the mental health issue in the military community where there is an alarming average number of 22 veterans who commit suicide every day. The group is part of a larger contingent of 22 military veterans paddling in tandem kayaks from Bridgeport, CT to Port Jefferson.

Ritter, who paddled in the challenge for the second time, said it is important for people “to raise awareness about suicide prevention.”

“An average 22 veterans take their own lives each day and that’s not acceptable,” he said. “I participate in this event to bring awareness about the issue and for the camaraderie with my fellow veterans.”

The PSEG team included three kayakers who have made the trip each of the four years the event has taken place, while another three more recent hires paddled for the first time.

PSEG is committed to supporting the veteran community, and each year, it provides employees opportunities to help individual veterans and organizations through hands-on community service, officials said.

This year, several dozen employees will be participating in two community service projects to beautify outdoor spaces during Veterans Day week. The projects include enhancing the Veterans Memorial Pool and Park in East Meadow with shrubs and trees and by grooming the grounds, as well as raking, weeding, and clearing the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Garden and courtyard at the Northport Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Also throughout November, PSEG employees are participating in two collection drives for local veterans’ organizations — General Needs, Ltd. and 9-1-1 Veterans. The groups offer food, meals, clothing, and other necessities to local veterans in need, as well as provide household supplies, and furnishings for formerly homeless veterans, and support awareness about PTSD and the high rate of suicide among the veteran population.