Thread: U.S. Military - heartbreaking losses

I just finished an afternoon cigar out in the garage listening to NPR and BBC world news when a July statistic was released from the Defense Department. 26 suicides in July for active duty Army personnel. 8 Marine suicides for July. 6 Air Force suicides for July and 4 Navy suicides for July. The Defense Department revealed that there had been 154 suicides in the first 155 day of this year through June 3rd.

This news breaks my heart and I am totally clueless as to what can be done to try and help. I have always wondered during the last 10 years or so how our combat troops can possibly make it mentally through repeated + combat tours of duty. I know that our Special Ops Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen operate with a strength of psyche and resolve and love of Country to serve endlessly and God Bless everyone of them who are in terrible places accomplishing tasks that have to be completed while I am asleep or enjoying an afternoon cigar. I am thinking more about the Citizen soldier who enlists for a time certain and then faces the recurring combat tours.

A single 13 month tour in south east asia back in the 1960's has been a lasting part of my private presence and thoughts everyday since without fail.
Sorry for the downer, I just needed to get this off of my chest.