GLADEWATER, Texas (KLTV) – Operation True North hosted their 2nd annual Patriot Day Golf Classic.

The tournament has all of its proceeds go towards helping Operation True North with their goal of helping veterans, first responders, and their families.

The services ranging from family and peer groups to counseling.

“Ultimately we just want to provide mental health services for our veterans and first responders in the area. We definitely want to provide more readily available services. So if someone calls and says “hey, I’m in crisis” then we want to be able to get them in within 24 to 72 hours,” said Grace Henderson, the Executive Director of Operation True North.

One of the main focuses of the group along with the first responders and veterans is making sure the families are taken care of just as much.

“It’s one thing to support the individual, but whenever you support the family there is a greater rate of success and just a better supportive network around this person as well. They have gone through their own challenges in the time of their loved ones service and so we want to work through some of that with them as well,” said Henderson.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is an issue that veterans and first responders can face. Things that they see and do in the line of duty can be a bigger scar than some of the wounds that they sustain.

Talking with a veteran at the event, it shows the need for support is big.

“It’s life or death. You know, some battles are harder with a gun on the battlefield and some are mental tolls of things that actually took place on the battle field or, you know, different things,” said Julia Wilson, a volunteer and Army veteran whose husband participated in the tournament.

The event usually takes place on September 11, but due to weather they had to delay it.

For those who want to learn more about the group and the services they offer can visit the Operation True North Facebook page, or visit their website by clicking here.

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