Tears....

[Suzi-OH]

.....just as my 8 year old was getting ready to walk out our door to Trick or Treat I read a post on the Pensacola Group about the most recent Air Crew suicide. I did not know the young man or his family and yet I could feel the sadness growing inside me. I read how he seemed like a happy guy, doing well in his training. He had just gotten an "A" on a test two days earlier and had also been out with friends the night before. Nobody knew that anything was wrong and we still have not heard what might have led one of our Navy family to take such a final, sad step that ended his life. I immediately HAD to make contact with my son. I was telling myself that I KNEW it could not be him, but still needed to hear him...to be sure he was ok. Then it hit me that not this young man's friends, parents, family or anyone had expected this from him either. Then, I knew that this young man had to feel alone, even surrounded by hundreds of other service people there in Pensacola. I felt even more sad for him.

I have struggled with depression myself. It actually feels good to be able to say it out loud, in type, etc....I acknowledge it, accept it and work on it every day of my life. I know what it's life to have on the happy face and be full of pain inside. I'm one of those people with a million things going on at any given time, seemingly happy, lots of friends, etc.....but in honesty, there are very few people I am close enough to that I feel I can totally open up with. So, while I am wondering what could push a young person to such an end, I do know how it is possible. It's just that you think nobody else could feel as desperate as you have ...during a bad divorce, making your way alone with two young children, seeing your mother beaten by your father, beaten by your own husband......so many bad times. Some people are able to find their way and some take a different path.

All we can do is to make sure those we love know that we are always here for them.....that we won't judge, but will always listen....always have a shoulder.....and also encourage our love ones to be there for others.

[mom 56]

i send my thoughts and prayers out to this family at this very sad time . if you ever just need someone to talk to or just listen please contact me i am up day or night since you said you have problems with depression as well there is always someone there for you dont feel like you are ever alone someone is always thinking about you i am tomorrow is another day i am here if you need me

[mom 56]

so sorry for this family and the pain they must feel my prayers and heart go out to them at this very sad time.yso iou said you get depressed so if you ever need someone to talk to or listen i am here night or day i think everyone needs someone s i just want you to know that i am here if you need someone just let me know .

[mom 56]

it is really sad and i feel so sorry for his family at this very sad time my thoughts and prayers are with them. you said you were depressed once in a while so if you ever need to talk to someone i am here night or day everyone should have someone to talk to so please let me know i would love to talk or listen to you we can sit and drink coffee over the phone or hot tea or hot chocolate or something maybe a nice cake i have a sweet tooth really bad but really i will be thinking about you tomorrow is a new day

[Tracy_ship04_div019]

Everything you have said is so true. I can relate to just about all of it. My prayers go out to the young man's family and everyone else who needs some comfort at this time.

[navy25]

Oh My Gosh that is so painful to hear I cant even imagine what the poor family is going through my sympathy goes to the Sailors family and iits scary to hear that this would happen in the Navy my prayers are with them and prayers to the rest of our Sailors to keep them Safe and mentally Strong to endure their new Military Life. God Bless our sons and daughters and Keep them Healthy and Safe at all times. Ok now I have to see if I can get in touch with my Son to remind him that he is never alone even if there is so many miles between us he can always contact me 24/7 .

[MsMaria68]

Well Im sorry to hear this, but, I have to ask: If a SAILOR is not happy being a sailor and he's dealing with depresion what would the NAVY will do for them, I mean if they know about those "who feel they made a mistake for being there" will they help them or this is the only way a soldier have,so they can 'get out" by killing themselfs? I don't know about you guys but I think that's not fair, They should be able to get the help they need!! even if it means they have to change their mind about being a soldier!! The NAVY have to let them go!!! ..Only God knows why he took that wrong desicion....GOD HAVE MERCY.

[TexasMomof2]

How sad.......I was listening to the Pentagon channel this weekend. This is rampant across ALL service branches. They see it, they acknowledge it and they say they're "working on it."

[MsMaria68]

GOD HAVE MERCY.

[Suzi-OH]

MsMaria....You are making the assumption that their final decision is because they regretted becoming a sailor. I know that one made his decision when his girlfriend said she did not want to marry him. The most recent poor soul just got an A in an exam and was doing well. If the US Navy believes you suffer from depression, ADHD, etc....it will not be easy to stay in the Navy. I know of guys being sent home from BC due to depression. If a sailor doesn't want to be in the Navy, he or she can get out. That being said...any branch of the service has a duty to care for the well-being of their men and women. Honestly, they might very well be doing so....I honestly have no idea what they do for the sailors. I can only say that when I was married to my first husband an he was still in the Navy that his ship's chaplain was great help to us....even with regards to helping us around Portsmouth Naval Hospital.