Nestled on a small rural gravel road in Ridgeland, Operation Patriots Forward Operating Base (OPFOB), serves as an outdoor retreat for veterans, active duty military, first responders and their families to gather informally. Peaceful lakes and houses with bars dot the landscape, and members are able to book retreats there whenever needed.
Jillian Newcaster, 10th grader, volunteers regularly at OPFOB and one of her most treasured experiences is to volunteer at the 22-day Light the Fire event. This event shines a light on a concerning statistic that 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States. As a tribute to American veterans who took their own lives, every summer a fire is lit and kept burning 24/7 for 22 days. The organization arranges for a member of OPFOB to keep watch at the fire, 24/7 for these 22 days. This is where Jillian comes in. She volunteers for an eight hour shift in the rotation, making sure that the light of the fire never goes out, showing her thoughtfulness and compassion for those who struggle. She takes on the role of collecting firewood to keep the fire lit and clears the smoke so it does not overwhelm those who come to sit at the fireside.This event raises awareness of those in service to the country.
Jillian works hard once a year every summer. She says, “By participating in this event, I’ve learned more about the importance of veterans’ well being and to hear first hand the stories of these heroes.” She uses this time for her own reflection on how precious life is when she is not focused on her own struggles.
