Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026
Time: 12:15
Location: Roswell Area Park
Bill Johnson Community Activity Building
Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075

This week, our club welcomes SSG Waylon Parrigin, U.S. Army (Ret.), who will speak on behalf of Chris Cathers, following Chris’s recent passing. As a veteran who has personally engaged with the Brothers Keeper Veteran Foundation (BKVF), Waylon brings both experience and a deep commitment to continuing the mission Chris championed. He represents the thousands of veterans whose lives have been touched by the organization’s mission:

• To raise awareness of and destigmatize military‑based mental health issues,
• To connect veterans to personalized, barrier‑free treatment for as long as needed, and
• To preserve the lives of U.S. active‑duty service members and veterans by optimizing their recovery journey.

SSG Waylon Parrigin served nine years in the United States Army, including a combat tour in Iraq in 2005. In the years since his service, he has become a visible advocate for veterans’ mental health, as a participant in BKVF’s “Connection Is Prevention – All Secure for the Holidays” support group.

In his work with BKVF, Waylon helps ensure that each individual’s physical and mental health needs are understood, supported, and met with compassion. This includes:

• Assessing personal challenges and current support systems,
• Connecting veterans to tailored resources—support groups, therapy, medical care, or crisis assistance,
• Providing ongoing encouragement, check‑ins, and guidance as individuals work toward improved well‑being,

Waylon’s remarks will honor the legacy of Chris Cathers, whose vision built an organization that continues to grow in impact.

• 150+ Veterans Supported
• 309% Increase in Clinical Intakes Since 2024
• 23 Veterans Currently in Transition
• 75% of Every Dollar Goes Directly to Care

These numbers reflect the urgency of the mission and the strength of the community Chris Cathers built, one that Waylon now helps carry forward.