CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Soldiers & Families Embraced, also known as SAFE, hosted its 8th annual fundraiser breakfast Thursday at the Belle Hollow Event Center.
SAFE’s mission is to strengthen the emotional health of our nation’s heroes and the theme for the organization’s breakfast was “Embracing Resiliency.”
The event focused on service members and first responders’ experiences that can be challenging to recover from, but the courage they display in continuing their service.
“Resiliency gives individuals the capacity to bounce back from adverse life experiences and stressors, the ability to make adjustments and adapt,” said Christina Watson, SAFE’s Executive Director.
Guest speaker for the breakfast was retired Sergeant Major, Terry H. Pevehouse, a veteran who served in Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.
Pevehouse currently serves as president of the 5th Special Forces Association, Chapter 38. Pevehouse talked about his 30-year career in the military and as Veterans Day draws near had a special request for everyone in the audience.
“I ask as a special thing going into Veterans Day, find a veteran and thank them, but go that one step further, find a veterans spouse, find a dependent, and thank them because it’s their sacrifice that is greater,” Pevehouse said.
Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts was the recipient of the SAFE Community Hero Award.
“There are hundreds if not thousands of other people in this community that are more deserving than me,” Pitts said. “Those are the people who show up every day and serve our soldiers, our veterans and their families.”
Pitts called SAFE a great organization that toils behind the scenes to help soldiers and their families overcome the horrors of war.
You’ll find Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE) at 1812 Haynes St. in Clarksville. If you or someone you know is in need of help or if you’d like to learn more or make a donation to support the work of SAFE in the community, visit soldiersandfamiliesembraced.org, go to their Facebook page, or call 931-591-3241.