MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. John J. Hotz
Q1042016 (573) 526-6115

October 4, 2016
EMPHASIS: MSHP Employees Care About Our Veterans

Missouri State Highway Patrol employees hope to raise public awareness about an important issue: The number of veterans committing suicide every day. As a way to do this, Patrol employees are accepting the challenge to do 22 pushups every day for 22 days, a number that represents too many veterans taking their lives.

“This is an important discussion to have,” said Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. “A recent Veterans Administration report relayed that suicide rates are higher among veterans than civilians. We support all veterans, both outside our organization as well as those who currently work for the Patrol. One suicide--veteran or civilian--is too many.”

Patrol employees taking part in the 22 pushup challenge are using social media to call out friends and neighbors to join them. The challenge: Do 22 pushups each day for 22 days. It is hoped this social media-driven awareness campaign encourages the public to reach out and make connections to the people around them. Together, we can make a difference.

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