In an additional effort to improve the mental health of veterans and prevent veteran suicides, Veteran Forces, a Texas-based non-profit organization providing resources and aid to veterans with a focus on PTSD and preventing suicide in the military community, announced Friday the official launch of Vet X, an online platform providing free event tickets and experiences for former and current members of the military.

The announcement comes during Veteran Forces’ participation at the American Legion’s 103rd National Convention, the largest fraternal veterans conference in the country, taking place Aug. 26 - Sept. 1 at the Wisconsin Center. Those in attendance can visit Vet X at Booth #415.

“This is something that we’ve had in the works for a while and are incredibly proud to roll out Vet X just in time for the American Legion National Convention,” said Gene Overstreet, 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps and co-founder of Veteran Forces. “The purpose of Vet X is to give veterans and those currently serving, experiences that they can carry with them for a lifetime. Through these experiences, we hope to help decrease veteran depression and suicide that is plaguing our nation. We make sure the additional expenses for most of these trips are paid for so that our veterans and their families can enjoy these trips without financial concern.”

Veterans Forces was founded by Overstreet and fellow Marine Jerry Shaffer in 2012. Overstreet and Shaffer also enlisted the help of Gunnery Sergeant R. Lee Ermey, Marine Corps Drill Instructor and actor best known for his roles in Full Metal Jacket, Mississippi Burning and the Toy Story franchise, who acted as an unofficial spokesperson for Veterans Forces before his death in 2018. Since Ermey’s passing, one of Veteran Forces’ primary initiatives is to get Gunny Ermey a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, dubbed Operation Shooting Star.

All veterans and active-duty military are eligible to receive free tickets through Vet X. Those who are eligible can create a profile through the Vet X website and register for upcoming giveaways and events of their choosing.

As part of their official launch, Vet X also announced they will be giving away two tickets to the 2023 Super Bowl scheduled to take place on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona. The winner of the contest will also receive free airfare and hotel accommodations during their trip.

The registration deadline for the Super Bowl trip giveaway is Dec. 31, with the winner scheduled to be announced on Jan. 1. Those interested can register at www.VetX.net/SuperBowl

Just last month, Veteran Forces gave away two tickets for a veteran to attend the 2022 MLB All-Star Game in Los Angeles with a two-night stay at the Luxe City Center Hotel. The giveaway was sponsored by The American Legion Ronald Reagan - Palisades Post 283.

To register for upcoming giveaways, to become a donor, or for more information, visit www.VetX.net.

Imagery and b-roll of Veteran Forces at the American Legion National Convention will be uploaded Friday morning and can be found here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11eTRLNo2rpvd8ccUAq5UDA3ZYLRm6lfI?usp=sharing.