PRESS RELEASE

Priority Soldier Leads Charge for New Veterans Center
One Component of a New Tri County Development

September 24, 2021

 (Leeds, AL) –  Everyday, 22 Veterans commit suicide.  These deaths are reaching crisis levels in Alabama, which has the second highest Veteran suicide rate in the country.   

Speaking with heartfelt passion and emotion in front of a room filled with city and community leaders in Leeds, retired Major General George Bowman told the group: “The time is now to do something!” 

Leeds Mayor, David Miller, who’s also a Navy Veteran, hosted the session September 15^th and was in total agreement.

Bowman and his colleague Ken Phillips, CEO Priority Soldier, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing critical issues affecting Veterans and their families, want to develop an all-encompassing Veterans Support Center in Leeds.

Uniquely positioned, located just 17 miles from downtown Birmingham, Leeds is where three counties (Jefferson, St. Clair and Shelby) converge and has been named Alabama’s Community of Excellence (a distinction given to just 17 cities in the state).  

“This is a great opportunity for our community.  The center will help us deliver more services to our families and veterans across the region,” said Mayor Miller as he appointed Dr. Gloria Haynes, Executive Director of the Moton Center, to serve as Leeds’ point of contact for the project.

Land surrounding the Moton Community Center is an ideal location for the Veterans Center which could also offer Recreation and Senior Centers to complete the vision of a Tri County comprehensive development.

“Our local veterans and families need help,” offered Staff Sergeant Joshua Stroud. The U.S. Army Reservist shared the heartbreaking story of a fellow Veteran, living in his car, suffering from PTSD, deciding to take his own life. 

Community leaders at the meeting embraced the concept and agreed to move forward. 

Pastor Jeff Horne, Moton Center Board member, excited and pleased, stated: “We need to get shovels in the ground, NOW. Our vets need our help. We can’t wait!”

Dr. Carl Marbury, Leeds native and former president of Alabama A&M University, inspired the attendees, echoing similar sentiments.  “We need to do this now.  The time is right; we can do this.”

Others joining the team of supporters include William Eyster Jr. President, Eyster Properties; Leeds former City Councilwoman Linda Miller; Jenny Waltman, Grace Klein, Non-Profit; Lynn Battle, ESQ, President of Moton Center Board of Directors; Kristy Guthrie, Charles Barkley Enterprise and Brad Watson, Zoning Administer, City of Leeds.

From concept to actual development will take several months.  Next steps in the process include a formal agreement between the city, Moton Center and Priority Soldier.

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About Priority Soldier

Priority Soldier Inc. exists to strengthen military families by advocating, educating, and addressing critical issues affecting Veterans and their families.

WWW.PRIORITYSOLDIER.COM