(CNN) — Four soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas died over the week. In all four cases, it appears the soldiers, all decorated veterans from the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan, took their own lives, according to Christopher Haug, a Fort Hood spokesman.
If confirmed as suicides, it would be on top of 14 other suicides on the base this year. Base officials called a news conference for Wednesday afternoon to discuss the problem of suicides at the huge base in central Texas.
Suicide among service members (both active duty and veterans) has been rising steadily over the past few years. According to the Defense Department, this June was the worst month for U.S. Army suicides since Vietnam.
Thankfully, the Army recognizes the severity of this problem and has implemented a whole program aimed at trying to reduce the instances of suicide within its ranks. It’s slogan: Shoulder to Shoulder: I will never quit on life. I’m not sure how effective programs like this really are, but it is nice to see people acknowledge that killing is not an acceptable answer to pain and suffering and at least try to prevent this “Ultimate and Absolute Evil,” especially when people in some parts of the world people seem to have given up on life entirely.
However you feel about the war, these men and women need our love, support and, especially, prayers. Please, pray for our troops – support them with your letters and packages. Remember those overseas, but also those who come home, changed forever.
Also worth watching: A Relentless Enemy – 60 Minutes looks at American forces in the border area between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Let’s not forget that our men and women are still fighting…and dying over there.
Speaking of our troops whose lives are changed forever. Here is a great video on a lighter, more uplifting note:
Related: Double Amputee Returns to Combat
Previous posts:
Fighting for Life in a Time of War
War Through the Eyes of Our Soldiers