217: Taking on veteran suicide with retired Navy SEAL Dave Berkenfield

War Stories with Preston and Sayre

09-09-2022 • 57 mins

We are joined today with Dave Berkenfield. Dave retired after spending 25 years in special operations having served as a Navy SEAL beginning in the 90’s and retiring only a couple years ago. Today, he serves in a leadership role on racing teams with Chip Ganassi Racing headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Having served on 20 combat deployments during his time as a SEAL, we discuss with Dave the impact on us veterans upon leaving the service, and the terrible infliction that is veteran suicide. Since his retirement, Dave has worked closely with the American Legion to develop the “Be the One” campaign. The American Legion is known as Veteran’s Strengthening America and developed the Be the One Campaign “to begin thinking, talking and acting to save just one life.” We appreciate Dave’s leadership and dedication in tackling such a complex, American issue.

If you are feeling suicidal, thinking about hurting yourself, or are concerned that someone you know may be in danger of hurting himself or herself, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is staffed by certified crisis response professionals.

www.betheone.org

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