[Doody]

Every day, five U.S. soldiers try to kill themselves. Before the Iraq war began, that figure was less than one suicide attempt a day.

The dramatic increase is revealed in new U.S. Army figures, which show 2,100 soldiers tried to commit suicide in 2007.

CNN military suicide report

We just had a returning soldier commit suicide in a nearby community and it's happened often just in our state alone. Damned STUPID war.

[KathyM]

I agree. It's only fun in movies when you have a choice in how it will end - or when it has nothing to do with your life. It's only fun in history books, when you can leave out all the horror and declare yourself the good guy because you had the biggest gun.

I have to sit here in this dark room/house day after day. At least once a day I hear a military helicopter or airplane fly overhead - makes my house rumble. For me, it's the 60s all over again.

There is also a dramatic increase in the despair of Viet Nam vets watching history repeating itself. Several years ago, I innocently thanked my Viet Nam vet friend on Veterans Day for his service. I had never done that before (mentioned Viet Nam), but figured it would be the right thing to do after all these years. I learned the hard way not to ever do that again. He said he's still lost in the jungle - he never came home. What followed was sheer horror for him.

My friend is fighting for his life right now (cancer). He doesn't want to die because his parents are old and they still need him. He's trying his best to remain stable emotionally, but that DARN military helicopter or airplane flies over his home every day too. He can't watch TV without being reminded of war. He can't help but wonder what was the point of the sacrifice he made to this country.

I pray my heart out for our new batch of soldiers who are losing their lives to this war. I also pray for those who lost their arms, legs, and brains. I'm sorry, but I refuse to believe these "happy" wounded soldier stories. The stories show them moving around on one leg, as if they don't even miss their limbs - because they can go sledding or play basketball in a wheelchair now. The stories gloat over how well they can get around without any arms - as if they didn't need them. It's different for those with injured brains - they just get locked up or shot down by the people they were supposedly protecting.

I'm INFURIATED when I see politicians talk about the campaign for presidency as a fun game to the finish. The survival of this country is at risk - our lives are at risk. I'm INFURIATED when politicians refer to the war as a simple chess strategy or a chance to play "cowboys and Indians" with brown people who are suffering more pain than we could ever imagine. They are playing with our lives - both here and abroad.

[Alffe]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/busine...,2651768.story

[Doody]

I know there have always been wars, but...well I don't know, I really don't like this one. And yes ((Kathy)) I have a few friends who survived Nam but not emotionally. Our country is in such crisis, right here at home we need help. It's frightening and affects all of us.

I read about that ((Alffe)). Sure are a lot of drugs on the market being associated with suicide risk.

I'm also a little scared about what the doctor is saying about granddoody. His snoring has increased severely and he only stops when you put him on his side. He stops breathing frequently as well while sleeping so the doc said he should have his adenoids out. If they decide to do that, I know the doctor who would do the surgery and I am going to drill into his brain what happened to Alffe's precious grandson. Just freaks me out. Heck, I may insist being in the recovery room and inspecting any drug bottle they go to use for him. Grr.

[smiles]

My son returned from a 15 mo tour in Bagdad 2 wks ago. He left for his first tour one month after his dad killed himself, the day after his wedding. If it wasn't for his new bride, I would really worry for him. He seems to be doing alright and I know he lives for Sarah.

I know that when a parent commits suicide it increases the chances for the children. I will certainly pay special attention when my boys are of the age their dad was at that time.

[Alffe]

(((Wendy))) Enjoy having your son home from that awful place.

And you are wise to worry about about your boys. It's almost like setting this horrible example for survivors, like putting a stamp of approval on a solution to lifes problems..another example of that awful legacy they leave us.

We used to talk alot about "Nature vs Nuture" around here. We had a good friend who was a sociologist and he'd say things like, "give me the baby and I'll make it good", while others of us would argue that environment begins in the womb. I've come to respect both sides of this issue.

And "some suicide experts worry that the biologically oriented researchers slight the social, psychological, and philosophical elements of suicide. Reducing suicide to a biological basis is to ignore the psychological pain which drives it." (1)

Edwin Shneidman said, "There can be no pill that salves the human malaise that leads to suicide."

Amen to that brother. ~sigh

**************

1.George Howe Colt The Enigma of Suicide

[Wren]

For 26 years I lived with military people. No, I didn't go to war myself and all I saw was standing by the planes when they were taking off and standing there again when they were landing. I know the families. I'm living ............
Oh well.

[Doody]

Wow, that's a long time ((Wren)). Any particular branch of the military? My experience has been mostly with the air force. My ex-father-in-law was a colonel in the air force

[Doody]

Originally Posted by smiles

If it wasn't for his new bride, I would really worry for him. He seems to be doing alright and I know he lives for Sarah.

((Wendy)) I'm glad he came home safely. In the information I've been reading it does say that the support of a loved one can make all the difference in the world while a soldier is there and when they return home. I can see why.

My neighbors...sweet young couple with 3 kids all under the age of 5. He's already been on 1 long tour over there. He's military police and spent that tour in Baghdad. His unit was called back for a 2nd tour just before Christmas. He again shipped out to Baghdad. I worry for his sweet wife and 3 little kids. At least he has her support when he returns.

[KathyM]

((Wendy)) - I'm so glad to hear your son made it back safely - and has good love in his life to keep him strong.

My friend's son-in-law went on his first tour when his daughter was 1 y.o. She was a daddy's girl all the way. When he returned, she didn't recognize him - broke his heart. It took a while for her to become close with him again - just in time for him to return for another tour in Iraq. He's over there now.