 to host the annual homeless veterans stand down alongside the Cincinnati VA Medical Center and our community partners. These partnerships allow us to provide support and resources to veterans experiencing homelessness in the greater Cincinnati area. Now, before we get to our speakers, please join me in welcoming, welcoming Cincinnati VA chaplain, Lisa Bohannon, to sing our national anthem. We gather here today, first with us world and the one who cares about us. We come before you, the one who helps us to know who we are, what this world is about, who we can be to live and to do and to truly live in our uniqueness and to know the feeling of soul worth and value. Oh God, we gather today in this community, a community of veterans for me want them to know how much we value them. We value them for the freedoms that they fought for, for us, they stood for, for us and we want to care for them and the freedoms with which they deserve. When we lift them up to you today, we pray that you would give them the connections and the resources to thrive in the midst of the challenges they face with homelessness, other challenges, some that may even go back to combat or years before where they still carry burdens, burdens whether it be emotional, spiritual, mental or physical. We pray that you would meet their needs. We pray that you would use the staff of the VA Medical Center, the DAV and all their resources and people who have served and who have patriotic hearts that stand in this whole community and across the nation to serve our veterans. Within the entire Veterans Health Administration, God give each one of us strength as we support our veterans. And God, I thank you for everything that has gone into this event today and we pray that it would be an event that brings hope, hope to our hearts for a brighter tomorrow, a brighter today. Thank you for everything that you have given us and for all the blessings that this nation holds. May you unite us always in brotherhood and sisterhood for which we stand. In your holy name we pray. Thank you Chaplain. Now please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Now I would like to welcome Erlinger Mayor Jessica Fetty. She's been a resident of Erlinger for over two decades and was elected Mayor 2018. Before her election Mayor Fetty had served as a member of the Erlinger City Council since 2016. She's also been a local small business owner since 2012. Please join me in welcoming Mayor of Erlinger, the Honorable Jessica Fetty. Thank you everyone for being here today. There's nothing more important we can do as citizens than take care of each other. Communities like Erlinger are stronger when we gather together to help one another. This is especially true when it comes to making sure you, our veterans, know how appreciated you are. We are free because of your service and we must never forget that. From the bottom of my heart thank you for all you've done for our country, our community, and our families. We've all had to face life's challenges but none of us should have to face those challenges alone. That's why we're here today. As you get ready to visit all the wonderful community partners here know that they are here for you. Take advantage of the services they offer. Ask questions and don't forget to have a little bit of fun too. Thank you to each organization that's here and thank you to the DAV for putting this annual event together. We are honored that your organization calls Erlinger Hub. While the work you do is on a national scale it all starts in communities like Erlinger. It's noticed, it matters, and it's appreciated. Have a great day everyone and thanks again for being here. Thank you for your words Mayor and thank you for your support of our local veterans. This event could not have happened without our longtime partners at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center led by its Executive Director, Air Force Veteran, Jane Johnson. She was appointed the Cincinnati VA Medical Center Executive Director in June of 2021 and has nearly 30 years of experience in nursing and quality management leadership roles. We are immensely grateful for her continued support of the DAV's mission and dedication to our area's veterans. Ladies and gentlemen please join me in welcoming Cincinnati VA Medical Center Executive Director, Jane Johnson. And I was really worried you might start clapping. Really, we have screened over 20 I should say you have screened 7,000 veterans for toxic exposure of cancer after multiple exposures to burn pits. This truly groundbreaking piece of legislation has allowed over they deserve nationwide. Again, 350,000. That's a big number. Suicidal were given services anywhere they could get to that if depending on whose numbers you trust if 17 to 22 veterans die by suicide in this country a day I would say to you even one is one too many. And this piece of legislation is one of the largest pieces legislation in VA history. So that's the second reason it's an honor to serve each and every one of you each day and it is great to get to spend time with you this morning. I also want to note for the second year in a row so thank you for your service and I look forward to chatting with you. Thank you so much, Director Johnson. To my fellow brothers and sisters once again thank you for being here. In just a few minutes you'll walk through the doors of your DAV National Headquarters and as you do I want you to take note of the words inscribed on the wall next to the entrance. They're from DAV's founder Judge Robert S. Marx who said we had a common experience which bound us together and we ought to continue through as an organization of our own an organization of us by us for us. Those words are the foundation of the promise that we will take care of our own. That common experience, service-connected illness, injury may look different for each of us and the path toward recovery isn't always straight but at DAV we never leave our brothers or sisters behind. We are an organization dedicated to empowering veterans to lead fulfilling lives with respect and dignity. Today's gathering is one way that we do that. If you're something as simple as a hog meal and a haircut we hope you leave refreshed. Through the boost DAV and our partners have set up we hope you leave encouraged by employment housing and treatment options available to you. Through conversations you have with our benefits advocates we hope you leave informed about the benefits you've earned through your service and most of all we hope you leave with deep rooted knowledge that you matter and that we care about the sacrifices you made. That concludes our opening ceremonies. Vetters be sure to register when you enter the building and don't miss lunch provided by Jax Cater and the gang at 1130. Let's have a fantastic day everyone. Thank you for being here.