Posted on Nov 14, 2016

Iowa veteran takes his life after VA has him wait for treatment

COL Mikel J. Burroughs

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RP Members and Connections we lost another Veteran!

He was a son, a father, a boyfriend and a veteran. After serving two tours in Iraq as a combat engineer, 32-year-old Curtis Gearhart found love and friendships. What he didn't find was timely help from the V.A., reports WHO.

Gearhart took his own life on Monday, Nov. 7.

He had sought help from the V.A. nearly two months ago after experiencing recurring headaches.

"He previously had a tumor. He was worried about it and they told him it would be five to six weeks," Gearhart's girlfriend Valesca Steffens told WHO. "They send these soldiers over so young to fight these wars and then they don't live up to their promises of taking care of them when they come home."

Iowa veteran takes his life after VA has him wait for treatment

Posted from wqad.com

Posted in these groups: 210d76c2

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) B4caadf8

Suicide

Edited 8 y ago

Posted 8 y ago

Responses: 39

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SGM (Join to see)

Posted 8 y ago

This is so sad! Any time we lose one of our own is tragedy. To loose them to suicide because the VA can't get off their can to help is irresponsible. My prayers are with the family! Rest easy my brother in Arms!

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SPC Stephanie Chowning

Posted 8 y ago

This is why we need more counselors for the military and veterans

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CWO3 (Join to see)

8 y

We don't need more counselors, what we need is someone with the aptitude and fortitude to get the job done. Counselors for the military and veterans are only concern with covering their six. We need more professional experience with people who care about what they can do instead of asking why we have to do it.

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