I'm not posting this for sympathy but for awareness.
I lost my 29 year old son in January. He was a father of three beautiful children. He was a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and had earned a purple heart during his years of service. He was loved and admired by friends, family and coworkers. He had a great job and was going places in this world.
He also was going through a nasty divorce and had battled PTSD and depression. He was receiving medication and counseling from the VA.
On January 25th life became too much to endure and he took his own life.
I will have to carry this burden for the rest of my days. He was my son and my best friend. I miss him dearly every day. If you know of anyone (friends, family, coworkers, veterans) who are going through a hard time please take the time to check on them and make sure they are ok. Tell them that they are not alone and that you are someone who cares and will help.
Veterans Suicide Hotline 1-800-273-8255
Wolfhound,
You said you posted this for awareness. We are aware and you posting it helps someone out there, if not directly then indirectly. Let your words echo on and not be forgotten.
You also said you weren't asking for sympathy. You are an INGO member, sir. We make a point, and have since this board started in 2008, of noting that INGO is a community. You are part of that community, and when one hurts, just as when one celebrates, we all do. If you don't want sympathy, that's fine, but you will and you DO have support. You are not alone, just as those vets you spoke up for are not alone.
It was said by another member that your son lives on in those children. I don't know how old they are, but make sure they know him. Make sure that they know what kind of man he was and what he wanted for them.
You and yours are in my prayers.
God bless,
Bill
Thank you for the kind words. I am always amazed by the INGO community.
We truly are not doing enough to help this latest generation of veterans.
Woobie, you obviously knew him. It was tragic that Henry County lost 2 of our heroes within 24 hours of each other.
They now rest side by side on Legion Hill in New Castle.