We lost another one today. No questions to ask... No discussion or votes needed. Just read. Thank you.

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:25:00 -0400

No... Him I did not know by name or rank, I only knew him by his act, which continues to be all too familiar and frequent; AD, RET or SEP...
His name doesn't matter in this case as, regardless, it will still leave sorrow and confusion in my heart and mind, as well as the known and unknown hearts and minds so many would have for anyone who gets to this point; The feeling that this was the only option left to them...
This post will never reach him, but the hope still remains that maybe it will reach, at least, one or more of you approaching this point, with the help of, and through awareness of, self and others...
So... Again... If you think you are on this path, TALK TO SOMEONE...
If you think you know someone who is on this path, TALK TO SOMEONE...
I'm not saying this gesture is "the answer", but it is an all important first step to get to it...
It is our business and we are the keepers of our brothers and sisters...
And they are the keepers of us, so let them... Okay?
In the meantime...
Rest In Peace, And Good Journey To You, My Brother In Arms...

If I'm not allowed to post this here, then my apologies, but I felt it was needed as we all seem to know the answer, but a few of us are still getting it wrong...

Thank you. - CWEJr

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2015 2:27 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:27:32 -0400

Good effort to this front and foremost. Thank you, MSgt Curtis Ellis . I have already lost several from my 2004 tour. Semper Fidelis

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Oct 20 at 2015 3:46 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:46:55 -0400

MSgt Curtis Ellis Thanks for sharing.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 20 at 2015 4:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:31:19 -0400

Thank you for the poignant message. It is imperative for someone who is experiencing that level of pain, to know who to turn to during stormy seas.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Oct 20 at 2015 5:32 PM

Maj Mike Sciales — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:32:53 -0400

Just lost a good friend. Wish he had called.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 20 at 2015 6:36 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 18:36:27 -0400

MSgt Curtis Ellis sadly we lose an active duty person every 25 hours and over 22 vets a day to suicide.

I provide services through the Soldier's Project http://www.thesoldiersproject.org - we provide free counseling to post 9/11 vets in need of help, even for cases the VA declines due to type of discharge.

We should not be losing soldiers and vets to suicide...

Home - The Soldiers Project

Today we feature Dr. Judith L. White who has been a volunteer therapist with The Soldiers Project since 2008! Dr. White is a UCLA-trained clinical psychologist and certified Embodied Imagination therapist in West Los Angeles. For over 30 years, she has maintained a wide-ranging private practice. Thanks for volunteering, Dr. White!She will be presenting a session entitled “From Reliving to Relieving: Using Embodied Imagination to Help Veterans...

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 21 at 2015 2:00 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 02:00:00 -0400

I too just lost a brother and wish he would have reached out. He had a big support network.

Response by PO1 Allen Sirek made Oct 21 at 2015 3:40 PM

PO1 Allen Sirek — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:40:18 -0400

MSgt, thanks for sharing this. I have been on both sides of this. Both knowing someone who has, and getting so far down I have though about it myself. Sometimes we can get to the point that feels like this is the only option left, and everyone would be better of if maybe we carried it through. It was when I got to this point, I thought about those around me, and the son who depended me, the wife who needed me, and the mom who loved me. Please if you are reading this and get to thinking this way. Tell someone, and get help. I have had some good friends help me back up from these dark places, and I am grateful they were there for me.

Response by PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr. made Oct 22 at 2015 4:29 PM

PO2 Gerry Roberson Sr. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 16:29:09 -0400

I have no words.........

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2015 4:48 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Oct 2015 04:48:02 -0400

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/expose-the-fbi-do-not?source=c.em&r_by=10913546

Response by SN Victoria Glover made Nov 6 at 2015 12:48 AM

SN Victoria Glover — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:48:02 -0500

It is a shame that we can't seem to work on this problem and get the info out for help. Though I have thought about it, I have not done it. I have too many things going for me. Even now the thought crosses my mind. I just lost my dad 2 months ago and have been having health issues pop up again, and numerous problems with my home becoming unlivable but cant fix. Financial is slowly stabilizing. I try to talk to folks but sometimes it is hard to open up. I have dealt with this through prayer and finding somebody I can relate to, to whom is now deceased. Work and my husband and son are all that really keep me going right now. But I refuse to quit on life, because God has something planned for me.