For Every U.S. Soldier Killed On Battlefield This Year, 25 Veterans Die By Own Hands

Let me state that i´m not American.

But after reading this article my heart almost broke.

A sickening quote from Kissinger instantly sprang to mind.

“Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” – Henry Kissinger

How true this quote seems after reading this article.

Used and then discarded.

So many of these men have seen such horrifying things, so horrifying they´re willing to take their own lives.

*i'd like to pause here and ask you guys to really think about this concept. the concept of taking your own life.*

Here’s a window into a tragedy within the American military: For every soldier killed on the battlefield this year, about 25 veterans are dying by their own hands

An American soldier dies every day and a half, on average, in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans kill themselves at a rate of one every 80 minutes. More than 6,500 veteran suicides are logged every year — more than the total number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq combined since those wars began.

I'm as anti-war as it gets but nobody deserves any of this.
Some might say they've chosen to join the army and got what was coming to them. (i often was one of those people)

But this article is just sad and a reminder the 'war' doesn't stop when the troops get home.

They, themselves, have to fight another battle.

The battle to stay sane that is.

I wish all the veterans out there the best and i pray for the safe return of you all.

May these senseless war end as soon as possible.

source

NY Times source

Can't really say that I've ever been for any war, but that has confirmed that I won't ever want another one. Thanks for sharing it.

Thank you for sharing this with everyone. The hardest struggle that I have faced in life was coming home from war. And you are correct in the fact that we as veterans are hung out to dry by our government. Sure, they send us our disability checks and hope that we will stay content enough not to do anything irrational, but money only goes so far, and it sure doesn't improve my health.

I have lost quite a few friends to suicide and that hurts more than any combat death does. It is sickening to see what is happening to the military personel in this country. I have been screwed over so many times now that I have learned that I can only rely on myself to take care of myself. The government can go to hell for all I care. The government will rue the day they left the veterans hang out to dry. They have no idea what they are creating with treating us in such a poor manner.

The truth is most become suicidal after going through the stresses of the VA system. The system is continually failing and will continue to do so as more veterans come home and are left to deal with things on their own. It is such a pain in the butt that I only use the VA to have my scrips filled. I am lucky enough to have separate health insurance through my wifes employment. It is a very sad thing that is happening and I fear it will only become worse as more and more veterans come home to a world that hates them and a system that has failed them.

I agree that the way we promote killing over simple self defense through propaganda in my country (US) is pathetically sad.

I agree with the Kissinger quote, except that I don't believe military men are dumb. They are at least intelligent enough to realize that they have an opportunity to make paycheck and "see the world" at an early age. Propaganda, especially when carried out by large groups of highly conditioned BS artists (i.e. higher ups in the military), can make even then smartest man think that murdering can somehow be justified.
Notice how once the serviceman is at his home and the barbaric drill instructor is not in their faces, he begins to become human again and show signs of remorse? Sometimes though it is too late. The serviceman is so upset that they "bought the BS" their drill instructor fed them, they feel so helpless that they take their own lives.

The USA's current military has proven that they are not for just self defense (Libya, stoking the fires with Iran, etc...)

If I can stop just one kid from joining the military or get one person to leave the military, it would be a blessing. Hopefully I can convince the entire country and restore some respect for human live in this country.

Kids, if you are thinking of joining the military consider this...

You will be lied to at first - plain and simply lied to by recruits that will promise you your experince with the military will be rewarding and itll be just like your playing a realistic video game.. NOTHING could be further from the truth.

Also consider this... Why would an employer (the military) hire you only to force you to stay (under the penalty of imprisonment) if you decide the military is not for you and you want to leave? Just think about this for a second. Is it possible that MOST people who join dont like it and want to get out and the military then feels the need to FORCE you to stay. Kids, think about this.. There are plenty of other, much more lucrative options available for you. STAY OUT OF THE ARMED FORCES!

You are loved and can be so productive through a POSITIVE occupation. DONT LET ANYONE TRY TO CONVINCE YOU that "sometimes murder is justified" or that without a massive army "we would all be wearing turbans". High ranking military men make lots of money and need YOU as a pawn in their game to remain rich and live a cushy lifestyle while YOU GO TO DIE.

Please be better than that!

Well, everything comes at a price. The defence contractors and oil speculators are happy about the wars, and that's all that counts. After all, "corporations are people"

reply to post by kn0wh0w


Damn, 25 times more deaths by suicide? That is shocking to say the least, I had no idea it was this bad.

I guess the government doesn´t care at all, I´ll even say that they feel it is less of a potential threat to them if all these veterans kill themselves.

Sad, very very sad indeed.

This is so heartbreaking. I've experienced it first hand...twice. War is hell.
I can't think of anything worse. I just hope the nations young people who
are thinking about joining the military will pay attention to this. The price
of war is just too high....unless your Haliburton.

Originally posted by orbitbaby
This is so heartbreaking. I've experienced it first hand...twice. War is hell.
I can't think of anything worse. I just hope the nations young people who
are thinking about joining the military will pay attention to this. The price
of war is just too high....unless your Haliburton.

Exactly right my friend!
Save our children!
I hope to high heavens that the next wave of "What about the children?" philanthropists concentrate their efforts on keeping teens out of the military. I wanna see billboards and graphic images of war death that make kids think twice about joining.
Put a picture of Dick Cheney (former US VP - owner of Haliburton) sitting with a smile on his ranch in Wyoming and then put up a picture of a mutilated body from war.
Why dont we see these billboards up in all major areas with teens? But we see pictures of blackened lungs from smoking?? What is wrong with this picture??

reply to post by Salamandy


The newest push is about taking social services away from the working and incapacitated poor. The war machine is too profitable. Many ats shills are on a crusade right now to deviate attention from things like these and try to turn the tide of anger towards the poor and the meager help they get. I wonder if the socialist VA system was in danger of being terminated, would the vociferous ayn rand types be screaming for or against it?

Hmmm...

Thanks for sharing this. I think it is horrific the way we treat, ignore, disrespect, and marginalize our troops. They get the shaft on so many levels and deserve so much better. The government does use them and then they try to discard them like trash.The unmitigated gall of TPTB is ludicrous. Something needs to change for sure.

Originally posted by Kangaruex4Ewe
Thanks for sharing this. I think it is horrific the way we treat, ignore, disrespect, and marginalize our troops. They get the shaft on so many levels and deserve so much better. The government does use them and then they try to discard them like trash.The unmitigated gall of TPTB is ludicrous. Something needs to change for sure.

I think one of the ways to limit veteran suicide as well as unnecessary deaths in general is to make sure our military only acts out of self defense. In other words if our homeland is attacked and we can use our military to thwart the attack, then lets do it. All other use of physical violence should be completely taboo.

Because if you notice, TPTB love the ability to plan these wars ahead of time. It gives them time to alert the contracting companies and plan to profit from said war. If you are only defending from a surprise homeland attack, then profits are much less now arent they??

Notice Im not saying we need to stop INTELLIGENCE seeking about upcoming homeland attacks. Key concept here being PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.

reply to post by Salamandy


this post is a clear example of ´nuff said´.

you have said it all brother.

Right

"First off i am not an American"

" I am anti war"

Here are some statistics from the CDC

www.cdc.gov...

All suicides in the US 36,909 out of a country of 330 million

Fire Arm suicides 18,735 out over over 300 million guns in the US.

Suffocation suicides 9,000

Poisoning suicides 6,398

Condsidering i have had 1 aunt and 1 uncle from both sides of the family commit suicide who were not military civilian suicide rate is more than what was it?

6500 out of active force of 1 million and 3 or 4 millioon veterans?

Twist the facts to suit political ideology the article coming for a site named "disinformation" and the NYtimes is all anyone needs .

you know , what you say about others is a good reflection of yourself.so henry k is just a dumbass pawn being played by satan,haha you ahole

reply to post by neo96

Right
"First off i am not an American"
" I am anti war"

and...?

Because i'm not an american i can't feel for the service men and women out there?

I have family members who are in the military they just don't happen to be from the US.

boo-hoo.

That's the reason i stated these things up front.

The report concludes that suicide among service members and veterans challenges the health of America’s all-volunteer force. From 2005 to 2010, service members took their own lives at a rate of about one every 36 hours, according to the report. It also states that while only 1 percent of Americans have served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, former service members represent 20 percent of suicides in the United States. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates 18 veterans die by suicide each day.

maybe this is a better source for you?

www.defense.gov...

reply to post by neo96

6500 out of active force of 1 million and 3 or 4 millioon veterans?

and what are you trying to say exactly?

because it's only a small percentages it doesn't matter?

i can pull up hundreds of sources all stating suicide rate among veterans has been on an increase.

Well, what do they expect? I sure wouldn't get myself into any war or part of a battlefield. I see these ignorant signs all around where I live "Pray for our troops." Why not give them some useful advice and tell them to keep their butts out of the Army or Navy in the first place. Now, see, in my eyes, that would be actually helpful to these poor guys. But, noo, it's all about the lies the politicians served to them: "for your country" or "as a patriot." Fine! Then, as President or Senator or congressman, you should take the highest honor and get yourself on the front line ASAP with a gun and a Depends adult diaper for your protection when the bullets start flying. Of course, they're smarter than to do that. As rude as it sounds, Henry was right and will continue to be right. Too many stupid, proud people convinced by others (including their own sick family!!) that risking their lives is the way to go. When you play with fire, don't play dumb and say "I didn't know!" when you get burned. The service was playing you from the beginning, and now you wait until it's rough later to see it as it is?

These guys, I almost feel bad for them, but then I think of all the guys entering today, and I hold them responsible for their decision to enter a war for all the wrong reasons wrapped up in "Holiness" and "patriotism." What really bothers me is that if I or you tried to convince these guys and their families that they are being used, we would be seen as the bad guys. I would be reminded of all of "valid reasons" they are going out there to fight. So, in this light, no, I feel they knowingly brought it upon themselves for reasons that help them feel superior to the guy who stays here and doesn't fight. To really help the troops, you must convince them to see through the lies, but they won't do that because it's tied to their religious and value systems.

So, as mean as it sounds, you get what you have coming to you when you subscribe to the lies that are fed to you and reject the truth when it is offered to you.

reply to post by daynight42


Thank you to all the veterans, You weren't meant to be in war, but only placed their for a few to benefit.

Don't give up my friends you we're made strong, Now show your strength out of the military!

If anyone veteran or not need's a shoulder to lean on send me a PM.

Love all and Peace to all! Support your brothers and sisters!!

Here it is dumbed down for people who don't get it and just create a thread to push a political agenda.

A veterans death has no more meaning by suicide than anyone else to sit there and again create a thread about it says just how effed up some people are.

To reitterate i have lost 2 family members to suicide didn't sit there and make threads about it but of course since they weren't military or veterans

doesn't mean a damn thing.

reply to post by neo96

A veterans death has no more meaning by suicide than anyone else to sit there and again create a thread about it says just how effed up some people are.

In your post you have proven the OP's point. Veteran's are killing themselves in higher proportion than the regular population. The facts you said state this.

Don't get so personal. The fact is, it is always a tragedy when someone ends their own life and veterans take their own life at a greater rate than the population as a whole. What this thread is trying to do is to point out that the wars we fight take a psychological tole on the individuals fighting them, and the politicians that are responsible for the war are not taking any responsibility.

To reitterate i have lost 2 family members to suicide didn't sit there and make threads about it but of course since they weren't military or veterans

No one is making threads in expense of your lost loved ones.