Lowcountry veterans organization holds benefit concert Saturday night

RIDGELAND, S.C. (WSAV) — Everyday, at least 22 veterans lose their battles and take their own lives. A big reason why is because of the difficult transition from combat to civilian life.

“To hear that number really hurts, to be honest with you,” said JR Brown. “But it makes me proud of everything that we’re doing out here to reduce that number.”

JR Brown is the founder and CEO of Operation Patriots Forward Operating Base (OPFOB). The group brings veterans together to build comradery and look out for each other when times get tough.

“Last year alone, we had over 8,600 people come through the gate, and we’re proud to say in three and a half years that we’ve been in operation, we haven’t lost any veteran to suicide,” Brown said.

This entire week, OPFOB, has been celebrating its brothers and sisters. From paintball tournaments to fishing out on Hilton Head, all leading up to Saturday’s Concert for The Heroes.

“It’s pretty crazy to be out here in the middle of nowhere and pile in a few thousand people: Patriots and veterans and families and just the community comes out in droves and supports this event,” said Jared Ashley.

Ashley and Scotty Hasting are a couple of the artists set to put on a show for thousands of fellow vets. It’s a concert that gives a firsthand show to the audience. Through people like Hasting, it proves that physical limitations don’t have to hold them back. 

“I have very limited movement in my right hand, and I want a veteran or someone to see me up there playing guitar and be like, ‘Well, damn if that guy can get up there and do that there’s nothing stopping me,’” Hastings said.

That’s what OPFOB founder Brown wants the veterans that he helps everyday, to remember. You may not look or feel the same when you get back from your brave time serving. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find your passion.

Also, know that they’re not alone in their darkest time.

“You’re not broken,” Brown said. “You might not be the same as your civilian friends, but you’re not broken. Find purpose. Find something that you can really sink your teeth into.”