Flopping Aces Writer Major Chris Galloway Dead at 36 (Freeper M1Tanker)

Flopping Aces ^ | 08-13-09 | Scott Malensek

[Glenn]

I hope his demons are behind him now.

It’s been 35 years since my kid brother killed himself, but that pain comes fresh every time another child of God is lost.

[OwenKellogg]

Rest in Peace, Major.

Blessings to your family.

[boatbums]

I feel so sad for Chris’ family and friends. I will pray for them and for all those who risk their own lives, in battle and out, to protect us all and our freedoms. I cannot imagine seeing the horrors of war day in and day out. Our service men and women see things every day that most of us will never see in our lifetimes and I am amazed at the courage and strength it takes to get out of bed the next day and do it again.

I pray Chris’ wife, Shannon, and his three children will remember the great man he was and the good times they had and find it in their hearts to forgive him for whatever reason he felt compelled to take his life.

I never knew Chris, but as a child of a military man who saw war up close and personal, I know it changes you. How can it not? I sincerely hope if there are others out there reading this now who are considering the same action, that you stop and think of the grief and burden placed on your loved ones that they will carry the rest of their lives. YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Millions of people genuinely care about, admire and respect you for your sacrifice of service - and it IS a very precious sacrifice. You are precious!

[paws_and_whiskers]

Prayers for his family.

[Gay State Conservative]

Suicide is the ultimate selfish act. He had a wife and three children. What the hell was he thinking? I did my time in Afghanistan, came home and got on with my life. I’m proud of my Afghanistan service and have no regrets.

Hey,c'mon....that's wrong!! Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain that sometimes gets so bad that it causes its victim to kill him/herself.Do you also call those with serious heart disease "selfish" because they can't walk up a flight of stairs? He had a brain disease that wound up causing his demise.

Of *course* you should be proud of your service but might it be that the fact that you've been able to "get on with your life" simply means that you're one of the lucky ones and that M1 Tanker was one of the very *unlucky* ones?

[dsc]

Prayers for his soul and for those he left behind.

Is there an education fund for the children?

[sargon]

Suicide, with a brand new child at home? I just can’t fathom it...

[sport]

mark

[rahbert]

I have no words. Simply heartbreaking.

[dragonblustar]

So tragic. Prayers for his family and friends.

[bareford101]

this is de-je-vu from Viet Nam, except then, no one seemed to care except to spit on the returning soldiers in the airports.... there were no “ahem” stress counselors. Only those radical hippies from the 60’s with their ridicule...... and where are they today? They are in Congress, except for Bill Ayers... he only talks with obamanation several times a week.

lack of support, lack of support, emotional, physical, economic. Take a look near the end of the site at the picture of his baby and 2 sons.. look around them! This is where a Major's wife can expect to live, small, cramped rooms... And even in the Commissary, there is a big sign up that says WE TAKE FOOD STAMPS. I'm sure his wife was getting a little stressed on trying to live on welfare. This is how we treat our MILITARY. This is an obamanation

And our young people who are on the front lines are expected to handle all of this apathy and hatred from the country they are dying to protect?

[easternsky]

I also am proud of my Service , and went on with my Life, but their were some who were unable to. That was 40 plus years ago, and I will never forget the phone call that told Me my Best friend was not able to get over it. These times only bring it back to fresh. Why some can and others cannot only God knows. Just Keep your Heart open ,and have compassion, War is Hell.

[ohioWfan]

Oh, no. A HERO gone.

Many, many prayers for his young family. This is just awful.

[jveritas]

That is very sad to hear, very sad.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I think what you're BOTH saying is true, and important.

Hear me out.

On the one hand, suicide is often (not always, but often) caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that clouds and darkens both the intellect and the will. This kind of brain impact makes it difficult or impossible to make truly rational choices. God alone can look into the interior life of a man, but He knows exactly the degree to which the suicide's cognitive function and personal responsibility were limited. God's insight is perfect and His mercy is sure.

On the other hand, suicide IS the ultimate selish act IF the person had a significant degree of rational control. That is important to know, too. When I was going through a bad depressive bout (this would have been in 1984-85) one big thing that STOPPED me from destroying myself, was the realization of how damned selfish it would be, how it would impose an agony of suffering on the very people who loved me most.

May God protect and sustain this poor man's widow and children, and may He gather to Himself the soul of our brother Chris.

[rightwingintelligentsia]

RIP to a great patriot and FReeper.

Prayers for his family.

[ScreamingFist]

I have a LOT of survivor's guilt that I've lived with for years. I ask that question often about why did I come home? If there is a purpose behind it, have I served that purpose already? If so, then what? That's a lot of pressure I've put on myself. All I can do is follow the advice of the magnet I keep on back of my van: "Live Honoring America's Fallen."

From his own post.

Heros always find their way home. RIP Major Galloway

[TASMANIANRED]

Prayers lifted.

[OrangeHoof]

So sorry to learn of this. My best wishes to his friends and family. He was trying to serve our country under trying circumstances. It can get the better of many fine men.