The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) announced a partnership with the Blue Angels Foundation (BAF) on Tuesday to raise awareness and funding to support wounded veterans and their families.

FRLA, a non-profit hospitality industry trade association that serves more than 10,000 independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, announced the team up in a press release today. FRLA touted the partnership with BAF, a nonprofit foundation whose mission is to support the nation’s wounded veterans. Led by former members of the United States Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the BAF strives to have a positive impact on resolving post-traumatic stress (PTS) among wounded veterans – saving lives and promoting positive transitions for wounded veterans and their families.

“FRLA and our members are incredibly proud to stand with the Blue Angels Foundation to help our treasured veterans, wounded warriors, and their families when they need it the most,” said Carol Dover, President and CEO of FRLA. “These brave men and women and their families have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedom and fight for the rights of others, and they need our help as they return or transition from active duty. It is important that we all do what we can to support the Foundation as they provide critical services for our veterans, including counseling, housing, post-traumatic stress, employment, transportation, and other important life skills.”

Each day, more than 22 veterans take their own lives due to the loneliness or hopelessness they feel following their disruption to or separation from service due to injury. That is more than 8,000 suicides each year. For comparison and to fully understand the impact, in the 20 years the U.S. has been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have lost 7,000 soldiers in combat. It is estimated that more than 500,000 men and women who have served are living with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), and more than 52,000 have been wounded in battle. The Blue Angels Foundation plays an essential role in supporting the health and well-being of veterans as they transition back to the civilian community.

“2021 marks the 75th anniversary of FRLA and the 75th anniversary of the Blue Angels,” said Mike Campbell, President of the BAF. “How fitting is it the Blue Angels Foundation and FRLA are joining hands this year to begin a partnership that will raise awareness around veteran suicide and raise funds that will allow wounded warriors to complete Post-Traumatic Stress protocol. As a nation, we owe so much to our wounded warrior community, servicemembers that laid it all on the line to preserve our Freedom. Please join us in this important effort. Spread the word to save lives and make a donation,100% of which goes towards saving a life.”

For more info on the partnership, click here.