PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Hello Punta Gorda, I'm Alex Orenczuk.
I've been your committed FOX 4 Community Correspondent for more than 5 months now, and I knew that I had to head to Veterans Park on Memorial, to see how we as a community remembered those who gave their lives for this country.
Speeches were given from local government officials including Charlotte County Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch and Congressman Greg Steube.
Others including veterans groups, and grateful citizens joined to remember service members that gave their lives.
Shannon Mesenburg, President of the American Gold Star Mothers Peace River Chapter, and Director of Solid 7, told the crowd that not all heroes died in combat. Her son, Senior Airman XinHua Mesenburg committed suicide on Jan. 5, 2019.
“Suicide is on he rise across all of our heroes," Mesenburg told Fox 4. "Its become our why to serve and help others and keep their memories alive.”
To connect to the 24 hour Veterans Crisis Line, call 988 then press 1.
