Photo By Melissa Buckley | Fort Leonard Wood personnel are scheduled to be at the North and West gates Sept. 2...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Continuing a meaningful-long tradition forged from a deeply personal tragedy, Fort Leonard Wood personnel will post at the Main and West access control points Sept. 2 and 3, 2026, to distribute Fort Leonard Wood Care Cards ahead of the holiday weekend.
Craig Reeves, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood Safety manager, said the care card initiative was established five years ago, originating from a life-changing tragedy experienced by Garrison Safety Specialist John Lackey.
In revealing the origin of the program, Lackey said he is finally ready to speak openly about his profound loss, driven by the hope that his experience can serve as a lifeline for those in need.
“Five years ago, I received the worst phone call I think anyone can ever receive,” Lackey said. “My phone rang, and when I looked down at the caller ID, I saw it was my younger brother. The moment I heard his voice my body went cold. The sheer sound of it told me instantly that something terrible had happened.
“Then came the words that would change our lives forever, ‘John, our older brother has committed suicide.’”
Lackey said the “grief was overwhelming,” but when he returned to work, he wasn’t left to carry it alone.
“Don Busbice, who was then our Garrison Safety director, sat me down,” Lackey said. “He looked at me and said, ‘The Garrison Safety family wants to develop an information card to help others in their time of need, because we care.’
“Out of that dark moment,the we care card was born.”
Lackey refers to the cards as “we care cards,” because “Fort Leonard Wood cares.”
“Over the last five years, the we care program has grown from a grief-stricken concept into an indispensable Garrison Safety staple,” Lackey said. “It stands as proof that we can transform our deepest personal tragedies into lasting armor for others.”
According to Reeves, Garrison Safety Office staff distribute the cards during Arrive Strong events, while also coordinating opportunities throughout the year for installation leaders and personnel to engage morning commuters at the gates ahead of major holiday weekends.
He also wants to ensure as many people as possible have access to the card when they are away from their normal routines.
“We know these times away from our normal support chain can be very fun and fulfilling as we spend time with family and friends, but we also know those times can bring us added stress and times of need,” Reeves said. “We are hopeful a spare card in your car or wallet can be that access to needed support during a personal trial someone is experiencing.”
He added that the team hopes “to saturate the post with these cards so if a service member, family member or civilian need help, they will have quick access to that help.”
Deputy Garrison Commander Renea Lazzarini agreed and said that is why she plans to be at the gate passing out cards before the Labor Day holiday weekend.
“I participate to provide easy access to resources that may help one Soldier, civilian or family member in their time of need,” Lazzarini said.
Having supported this program for several years, she expressed that she finds the greatest value in personally connecting with the community at the gates, greeting hundreds of morning commuters while delivering the vital message that “they matter.”
“My favorite part is being able to thank them for what they do,” Lazzarini said.
“I like to think these cards are shared and passed on to others who might need the resources. I hand out several to local taxi drivers for their customers. It is encouraging when they proudly pull out a card they received at a previous event — it shows they truly value them.”
One side of the pocket-sized cards features contact details for local cab companies.
The other side contains the following phone numbers:
Lackey noted that the Safety Office has already distributed more than 40,000 cards, expressing his steadfast hope that even a single card might make a life-saving difference.
“If this card helps just one person in their darkest hour — if it saves one career from a DUI, or more importantly, if it saves one life from being lost to suicide — then the goal is met,” Lackey said.
“We do not walk these hard roads alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, look to the card. We are here, and we care.”
The national suicide prevention and mental health helpline is available by calling 988. Veterans and service members canpress 1to reach dedicated military crisis responders.
For Military Crisis Line help via text messaging, text 838255.
An online chat option is also available on the Army Suicide Prevention Program’s website.
| Date Taken: | 08.27.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2026 10:57 |
| Story ID: | 573337 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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