Every day, twenty-two American veterans take their own lives, trapped by the invisible wounds of war, PTSD, trauma, and despair. Behind those numbers are brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers who once stood in uniform. For 22Zero, an organization founded by Dr. Pam Arnell, the mission is urgent and non-negotiable: take that number down to zero, reminding every veteran that no one fights alone.

It is a massive challenge. But in every mission, symbols matter. And for 22Zero, one of those symbols came in the form of a challenge coin.

2025 marked an important year not only for Embleholics but also for 22Zero. While our business is crafting coins, it has never been just about metal. We live to create tools of belonging. That year, we donated one hundred custom commemorative coins, each carefully crafted to honor service and symbolize a place within the 22Zero community.

At a recent event, Pam handed those coins to veterans who had taken part in the organization’s programs.

You’re part of this mission. You matter. You’re not alone.

Pam later wrote, deeply moved after seeing the pride on their faces:

 “Thank you so much for allowing us to share about the mission and how our challenge coins are being given out to our veterans!”

When a Veteran Speaks, a Mission Comes Alive

Justin Rasik, U.S. Army combat veteran and Executive Vice President of 22Zero, has seen firsthand how powerful a small token can be. In a video message, he explained the heart of the organization’s work:

“22Zero’s mission is to take the 22 veterans per day who commit suicide dealing with PTSD and negative emotions, and take that number down to zero. It’s a huge mission, and there are a lot of people involved in making it happen.”

When he speaks of the coins, his tone shifts from somber to hopeful:

 “The response has been amazing… more than anything, the coin represents being welcomed into our community, being part of what we’re doing.”

Justin described the reactions of veterans, partners, and supporters:

“When I’ve handed it to people, they’ve been pleasantly surprised, very humbled, and appreciative. It’s solid, great craftsmanship, good quality, something that can last a long time. And it serves as a visual reminder: this mission will take time, but there’s a dedicated team making it happen.”

For him, the coin is not a giveaway—it is a welcome.

“We’re not going to be able to do this on our own. It’s going to take others to join us. And this is a great tool to welcome them into that mission.”

A Battle Beyond the Battlefield

Challenge coins have always carried weight in military culture. They represent recognition, camaraderie, and shared sacrifice. For 22Zero, these coins now serve as a bridge for veterans who feel cut off, an invitation to step back into a community that understands their pain.

Belonging saves lives. A veteran who carries a coin knows they are seen, valued, and welcomed into something larger than themselves. It is a simple gesture with profound meaning.

More Than a Coin, A Lifeline

Every coin handed out represents another veteran touched by the mission, another ally brought into the fight, another conversation started about life after trauma.

The veteran suicide crisis is not a statistic to gloss over, it is a national emergency. Behind each number is a story, a family, a life of service. The cost is too high, and organizations like 22Zero are on the front lines of addressing it.

The challenge coins created with Embleholics remind us that change often begins with small, symbolic acts that ripple outward. Each coin is a reminder that no one is forgotten, and no one should ever have to fight alone.

For Dr. Pam Arnell and her team, the mission continues every day, healing, mentoring, guiding, reaching veterans who might otherwise be lost to the silence of statistics. The coins serve as anchors in that mission, tangible proof that someone sees, someone remembers, and someone is fighting alongside them.

No One Fights Alone

The fight against veteran suicide is long, and it will not be won easily. But every step counts. Every voice matters. And every symbol of belonging, like the 22Zero challenge coin, helps carry the mission forward.

For us, it is an honor to have played a small part in this work. These coins were not created for collectors. They were created to be carried, to be held, and to remind every veteran that they are never alone.

In this fight, there are no shortcuts. There is only commitment, community, and the will to endure. 22Zero embodies that spirit, and with every challenge coin handed out, the message spreads.

At 22Zero, the message is clear:

No one is forgotten. No one fights alone.