Two post-Iraq suicides not listed by Army (at Walter Reed)

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20040120-114732-8552r

A soldier who served in Iraq apparently hung himself with a bedsheet last week at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, but the Pentagon did not count that death two days later when it announced "a very small increase" in the suicide rate from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

It also did not count an Operation Iraqi Freedom soldier who apparently committed suicide at the same military hospital last July. The Pentagon said it is not counting suicides among troops who killed themselves after they left Iraq.

A veterans' advocate questioned that decision.

"I want to know why stateside suicides are not counted in the total number of suicides reported by the Department of Defense," said Steve Robinson, executive director of the National Gulf War Resource Center and a former Army Ranger.

Robinson said he fears an epidemic of mental problems among troops who have served in the war. "There appears to be a significant increase in both suicides and post-traumatic stress disorder," Robinson said.

[Mari333]

1. There will be SOOO many who will be insane after this

I shudder to think of what might happen to my stepson in Iraq, let alone his mental disorder when he returns, god willing.
He is a teenager with a gun, thats all. He truly has NO CLUE.
They all are.

[ninkasi]

2. I pray for him

and all the others there who are being brutalized by this monstrous, needless war. Bush is creating a condition which will bring living hell to millions, by the time you count coalition soldiers, their friends and families, and Iraqis.

Bad enough to place them in danger, it's even worse to discard them like so much used tissue when they can't fight anymore.

[Sugarbleus]

5. All my rage started with the attack on Iraq...

using OUR young people. They went to do a dirty deed thinking it was for the good of the nation. Under equipped, under trained, short handed, and not supported upon return (if they ever get to return at all). That is what started me researching and reading, writing and joining websites/forums like this one. I found out more crap about this government (especially Bush) than I ever believed could be real. Now, I'm ADAMANT about who sits in the White House and I always will be. No more blinders for me.
My hubby is Vietnam era. My youngest daughter found herself after highschool in Saudi Arabia in Gulf I. I am raising a 15 yr. old grandson now and I'll be damned if I will let him go to his death or dismemberment for some shit like Bush has caused.!!!!
I love the military. I weep for them--->the rank and file mostly, I'm not so teary eyed over the officers. I hate bush for this fiasco in Iraq. May God Almighty damn his soul for this.
I love the families of these soldiers too, even if they don't agree with my politics; I weep for their loss and sacrifice as humans are suppose to do for one another.
May the rest of our youth come home from there PDQ--whole and sane.

[lebkuchen]

3. Bush could have chosen NOT to invade, and spent the money on health care

The resulting social problems from the Chimp's preemptive "I don't need no reason" invasion will be an added expense that Americans can't afford, nor are currently equipped to deal with.

[Solly Mack]

4. And it will only get worse

Well, you did it, again ,America...another generation of soldiers left out in the cold.

[donsu]

6. yes, sitting on the curb, drunk and drugged to dull the pain

of guilt of murder and the rage of being conned into doing it.

and by the time they make it to the curb america will be too poor to help them.

we all should be shamed by what we have done to our children in the military.

and we should be storming the gates of the white house to remove these criminals to prison.