Ramsey Church Brings Awareness to the Problem of Veteran Suicide

Congregation Brings Awareness to the Problem of Veteran Suicide

The Witting Tree

Ramsey, NJ (October 5, 2019) – Wit.ting (adjective) -- done in full awareness or consciousness; deliberate -- (of a person) conscious or aware of the full facts of a situation -- syn- Cognizant

As Veterans’ Day approaches, flags are being unfurled, speeches are being written, and parade routes are being prepared. In Ramsey, the First Presbyterian Church is preparing in a different way this year. Recognizing that the burdens of war are carried heavily by our veterans the church hopes to raise awareness of the ongoing impact that war has on them. From the first day of November through Veterans Day, members of the church will gather each day at a tree outside their sanctuary that is affectionately known as “The Climbing Tree.” But for the month of November, it is taking on a new name - “The Witting Tree.” Instead of kids climbing the sprawling branches, members of the church and community will be hanging twenty-two dog tags each day in a public remembrance of the twenty-two veterans who die by suicide every day. Growing by twenty-two dog tags each day, The Witting Tree will bear two hundred and forty-two dog tags in these eleven days. The tags will remain on the tree through the remainder of the month as a reminder of those veterans who struggle to bear the wounds of the body and the soul.

Rev. Huston says, “The idea for the Witting Tree came from a workshop on Moral Injury at the United States Military Academy but it wasn’t until I attended a workshop on "Caring for the Soul Wounds of War" that I experienced the power of the Witting Tree first hand. That’s when I decided to try it in Ramsey and make it a part of our church’s annual celebration of Veterans.”

First Presbyterian is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and is one of three congregations that have partnered together to serve the people of Ramsey and the surrounding communities.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Steve Huston at (845) 239-1026, or email steve@ramseypc.org.