When Kevin Graves created the Some Gave All, Joey Graves Foundation in 2006, his intent was to honor not only his son – who died in Baghdad in 2006 – but the lives of the currently more than 700 California service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Our mission has always been to support the Gold Star families,” said Graves. “And that encompasses a number of venues, including the golf tournament.”

The sixth annual Joey Graves Memorial Golf Tournament will be held Monday, Sept. 17 at the Discovery Bay Country Club. Proceeds from the event benefit programs supported by the nonprofit Some Gave All Foundation, including the Gold Star Parent Honor & Remembrance event, Wreaths Across America, Project Gold Star (license plate program) and the American Heroes Tribute Banners. The banners are a traveling tribute to the fallen and will be on display again this year along Discovery Bay Boulevard beginning the first week of September.

This year, proceeds from the tournament will benefit another cause – veteran suicide prevention. Graves said that according to the Veterans Administration, an average of more than 18 veterans commit suicide every day, and those numbers don’t take into account the number of active-duty personnel who take their own lives.

“Home should never be more dangerous than war,” said Graves, who is working with a variety of organizations to create public-service announcements and outreach for veterans struggling with reintegration into everyday life. “We are saying to them, ‘We understand this is counterintuitive to your training, but ask for help’ and we hope these efforts will shed some light on a growing problem.”

Registration for the golf tournament begins at 9 a.m. followed by the Presentation of Colors at 10 a.m. and the shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. The day winds up with awards and dinner at the clubhouse beginning at 4 p.m. Tickets for the day are $175 per person and include a round of golf, lunch and dinner.

“We’re looking forward to another great event and a fun day on the course,” said Graves. “Not only does the tournament honor a local hero; it honors all those who have fallen. It’s the least we can do.”

For ticket reservations, to make a donation or for additional information, visit www.somegaveall.us, call 925-513-1313 or e-mail kevin@somegaveall.us.