re: On Average, A Veteran Commits Suicide Every 65 Minutes

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20+ per day is an epidemic. Something's wrong. Bad wrong.

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There are so many contributing factors it is a near-impossible challenge to solve. The downside to our fraternity is pretty big but so is the upside.

Example: My dad is 80 and a vet. He had some health issues away from home and alone - literally 6+ hours from his house and at least a day of flying from me.

An EMT was checking him out and recommended he go to the hospital to get checked out - the hospital was about 40 miles away (dad was in some small town in Wisconsin). Dad balked because he said "I would have a ride to the hospital but no way to get back to my truck after". The EMT, also a veteran, told gave dad his cell number and said go get checked out when you are discharged call me, I got your back on a ride out here.

That is the upside. The downside is I saw several buddies die over my time in, I have dark times thinking about the lives of men better than me that were cut short. I know I am not doing all they could have. If I dwell on it I can go crazy.

In the end, suicide is a choice to follow the dark dogs down an alley you know doesn't end well or stop yourself, call a friend, drink a beer, do anything to stop that circle.

It is a hard decision, but if someone is determined to suck start a pistol there is nothing that can be done.