another veteran of the Iraqi war takes his own life -
 

I knew this boy -
it is heart wrenching -

Chris T.
Specialist Christopher , 24, of Kansas City, MO, and formerly of , MO, died Monday, June 9, 2008, near Kingston,
. Christopher was born, 1983 in , MO
to .. Survivors include his father,and his wife, of, Mo;

his mother, of Kansas City; his adopted mother, of AR; three brothers, of MO; one sister and brother-in-law, of Independence; his maternal grandmother, Excelsior Springs, MO;

several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his adopted father, have lived most of his life in the Lawson area.

He was a 2002 graduate of the High School.
He was in the U.S. Army, and served from 2005 to 2006 in the
" Operation Iraqi Freedom". Memorial graveside services will be held Saturday, June 14 at 1 p.m. at the Cemetery, in MO, where military graveside services will be conducted by the American Legion Post #237 and Richmond VFW Post #4398.

Thurman Funeral Home, MO is in charge of the arrangements.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Christopher to the Memorial Fund.


last year at this time he was the best man in my neices wedding -
Bless his heart -

love,

I'm so sorry Tina...I think we'd be shocked at the # of young men who can't live with the memories of the horror of war. :(

Suicide Watch - article
 

Suicide Watch
The director of the National Institute of Mental Health says that more Iraq and Afghanistan veterans may die from suicide than from combat. So why isn't the Pentagon protecting U.S. soldiers off the battlefield?




http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.ht...7-1c4db913cdc7

dear Alfee - (TBI)
 

these deeply wounded men and women -

have what is deemed TBI - Taumatic Brain Injury...
I believe it happens to many non soldiers as well...
overwhelming mental torment from flashbacks of life... seen or heard -



http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.ht...7-1c4db913cdc7

How sad, Tena. :( It's worthwhile to step into the gates of hell to fight for survival, but it's another thing to do it under false pretenses. How I wish people would have given this more thought (consequences) - especially those who lived through Viet Nam. It makes it harder when our soldiers come home to see everyone in their castles glued to American Idol, pigging out on ice cream, and flipping through magazines - saying "Where were you? Clean your room - it's a mess!" It's as if we were never really in danger - just wanted them to go away. :(

I hope you know I am NOT talking about the mother of this young man - just society in general. It breaks my heart to lose another soldier, and it makes me so angry we don't continue to honor and care for them after they come home. :(

My heart and prayers go out to the family. Rest in peace, Christopher. :(

I am so sorry for the loss. We will be keeping you and his extended family in our thoughts and prayers.

Sorry for your loss...
 

and so glad you have shared n this topic!

While heart-wrenching, it is a very important topic to address.

I am so sorry for your personal pain, Tena... and for the pain felt by his loved ones...both family and friends.:(

I am also deeply sorry for the deep and relentless pain this young man must have endured in order to take his own life.:(

What a tragedy... to lose even one...and we have lost so very many.
(Young men in my family are also serving.:()

A heartfelt "thank you" for all contributing here to the increased awareness on these issues.:grouphug:

May the many hearts, minds and souls find deep inner peace and healing.:Heart:

I'm so sorry to hear of this loss ((Tena)).

I don't want to offend anyone with my thoughts, so I'll just say that I'll be so very glad when this horrible conflict is over. It's negatively affecting all of us.

My nephew is recently home from Iraqi and my husband's nephew has just arrived there.
I think most of you know that from 1971 to 1993 I lived on U.S. military bases and saw lots. I was part of lots. I was at lots of air bases while ambulance planes landed. I was involved with military families. I was part of fund rais
Oh .... I know some of what ......
I've been on both sides of this stuff.
I've HEARD both sides of this stuff.
My heart grew up.
:grouphug: