Families Of Deployed Soldiers Who Commit Suicide To Get Condolence Letters

[Theophylact]

From NPR:

This statement from President Obama, just released by the White House, confirms an earlier report by CNN:

"As Commander in Chief, I am deeply grateful for the service of all our men and women in uniform, and grieve for the loss of those who suffer from the wounds of war — seen and unseen. Since taking office, I've been committed to removing the stigma associated with the unseen wounds of war, which is why I've worked to expand our mental health budgets, and ensure that all our men and women in uniform receive the care they need.

"As a next step and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the military chain of command, I have also decided to reverse a long-standing policy of not sending condolence letters to the families of service members who commit suicide while deployed to a combat zone. This decision was made after a difficult and exhaustive review of the former policy, and I did not make it lightly.

"This issue is emotional, painful, and complicated, but these Americans served our nation bravely. They didn't die because they were weak. And the fact that they didn't get the help they needed must change. Our men and women in uniform have borne the incredible burden of our wars, and we need to do everything in our power to honor their service, and to help them stay strong for themselves, for their families and for our nation."

[pickel]

Would be a nicer sentiment if he had the Dept. of Defense send these letter retroactively to include all our soldiers whatever their cause of death.

[Theophylact]

Would be a nicer sentiment if he had the Dept. of Defense send these letter retroactively to include all our soldiers whatever their cause of death.

Nice idea, but how far back do you go? And would you include, say, Private Eddie Slovik?

[pickel]

Nice idea, but how far back do you go? And would you include, say, Private Eddie Slovik?

Maybe if Obombma just had a list written and endorsed it and posted on the internet with a brief video of commemoration for the families of these fallen soldiers to show his remembrance of their pain and the agony that led up to their actions .

[sharder8]

All nice and dandy . . . but who's going to make the VA do their job and get those soldiers the help they need???

We've already had a Federal Judge jump all over the VA to start taking care of these soldiers in a timely manner . . . but nothing has changed much, from what I hear and see.

My BLOG is a good example of the VA BS!!! Its been over 60 days since my comp/pen and still not a word from the VA.


Harder

[pickel]

All nice and dandy . . . but who's going to make the VA do their job and get those soldiers the help they need???

We've already had a Federal Judge jump all over the VA to start taking care of these soldiers in a timely manner . . . but nothing has changed much, from what I hear and see.

My BLOG is a good example of the VA BS!!! Its been over 60 days since my comp/pen and still not a word from the VA.


Harder

I understand and empathize with you Harder. ( But you already know that )

But , this thread is about those who served and are no longer with us that have families that need some respect and closure for passing of their loved one. Obombma could ,at least, go a little further on this subject.

[sharder8]

I understand and empathize with you Harder. ( But you already know that )

But , this thread is about those who served and are no longer with us that have families that need some respect and closure for passing of their loved one. Obombma could ,at least, go a little further on this subject.

My point pickel is, how many more suicides are there going to be . . . before the VA starts giving the Vet the help he needs and deserves? At this point, all I see is Obama giving lip service. So sorry your kid committed suicide, I'm sorry we didn't give him the help they needed. But, hey, at least I said we're sorry!

Most times today, the service member isn't released from active duty until the physical wounds are healed, why? Because DOD knows the VA won't take care of them! It's the unseen wounds that are causing the suicides . . . and the VA won't take care of that in a timely manner either.

How many kids have to commit suicide before someone with some REAL power steps in and holds the VA's feet to the fire? So far, one Federal Judge has tried . . . with little to no visible effect.

Mine is a long, sad story . . . but the kids today need the help quickly! Mine is physical and non-life threatening, but the kids with the hidden wounds won't wait 25, or 20, or even 5 years, before they say "to hell with life!" and commit suicide. The VA needs to get to them quickly and help them. Currently, the VA will give the troop sleeping pills and string them along . . . it's not enough, it's not quick enough, and we're losing them to suicide.


Harder

[pickel]

My point pickel is, how many more suicides are there going to be . . . before the VA starts giving the Vet the help he needs and deserves? At this point, all I see is Obama giving lip service. So sorry your kid committed suicide, I'm sorry we didn't give him the help they needed. But, hey, at least I said we're sorry!

Most times today, the service member isn't released from active duty until the physical wounds are healed, why? Because DOD knows the VA won't take care of them! It's the unseen wounds that are causing the suicides . . . and the VA won't take care of that in a timely manner either.

How many kids have to commit suicide before someone with some REAL power steps in and holds the VA's feet to the fire? So far, one Federal Judge has tried . . . with little to no visible effect.

Mine is a long, sad story . . . but the kids today need the help quickly! Mine is physical and non-life threatening, but the kids with the hidden wounds won't wait 25, or 20, or even 5 years, before they say "to hell with life!" and commit suicide. The VA needs to get to them quickly and help them. Currently, the VA will give the troop sleeping pills and string them along . . . it's not enough, it's not quick enough, and we're losing them to suicide.


Harder

Agreed !

You don't have to sell me. My Father-in-Law and Mother-in Law worked at the Jackson VA til they were carried out. My neighbors are retired from the same hospital. I could tell YOU stories but, I'm sure you could come back with one better.
It's a mess and getting worse.
Our young , patriotic boys ( and girls ) willing to go in harm's way and being treated like disposable toy soldiers.
Now, myself, I have nothing but praise for the VA in my particular situation. I have a wonderful nurse practitioner who doesn't miss a trick. Some of the other Depts. , I'd just as soon avoid. But ,all in all, it's still "Hurry up and wait" . Especially, for the guys who lesser of a man in thought processing.
Unfortunately, life is never fair and sometimes you just have to hide and watch because you know there's nothing ( this side of sanity or legality ) you can do about it.
My heart goes out to all of them and sometimes I do cry when i see the inequities that these men must live with. Sad, indeed........