Popular Veterans Advocate Kills Self after War Tours

yahoo ^

[wyowolf]

WASHINGTON – Handsome and friendly, Clay Hunt so epitomized a vibrant Iraq veteran that he was chosen for a public service announcement reminding veterans that they aren't alone. The 28-year-old former Marine corporal earned a Purple Heart after taking a sniper's bullet in his left wrist. He returned to combat in Afghanistan. Upon his return home, he lobbied for veterans on Capitol Hill, road-biked with wounded veterans and performed humanitarian work in Haiti and Chile. Then, on March 31, Hunt bolted himself in his Houston apartment and shot himself.

[wyowolf]

Very Sad :(

[NormsRevenge]

Sorry to hear of his decision to end his life at such a young age. RIP

[ComputerGuy]

It never goes away. You just deal with it, one way or the other.

Semper Fi, Marine

[American Quilter]

May God bless Clay Hunt and comfort his grieving family. I have no doubt that his American hero is having a joyous reunion with his fallen friends in Heaven.

[fuzzybutt]

Every warrior comes away with their own demons, but the greater the scars the greater the pain.

I was in the Army during Vietnam and most of those poor guys that came back were sad & scary figures.

God bless them all.

[1raider1]

Not to minimize this tragedy, but did this person have any other aspects to his life besides military issues that could have some significance in this.

[LouAvul]

It never goes away.

I've never been in combat so I don't know what you're talking about. What never goes away?

[Mila]

I agree it's a terrible waste. To physically survive war, but still be in a war zone of sorts. I saw a story about him this morning on CNN and he certainly seemed like a fine young man who was struggling mightily to overcome his demons.

[nuconvert]

more here. Very sad.

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/09/clay-hunt-marine-who-campaigned-for-veterans-commits-suicide/

[mmercier]

People who adapt to extreme situations sometimes find themselves lost when there is no action or immediate purpose possible.

Some break, and react in what they believe to be a proactive controlled manner. They simply assume they will go somewhere else.

It is indeed a sad thing.

[SZonian]

Prayer bump.

[ComputerGuy]

PTSD
Survivor's Guilt
Being frustrated with the VA

I've never actually experienced any of that stuff myself, but I hear that a bad case of even one of them can cause an increase in one's suicide potential.

[nuconvert]

I think I just saw the ad he did 2 days ago on tv.
Tragic

[nanis]

My heart goes out to this Marine’s family.. It can be very tough coming back from war, sounds like this Marine had it a lot worse than I did in ‘ol Sand Box

[HangnJudge]

It never goes away.

I've never been in combat
so I don't know what you're talking about.
What never goes away?

I'm a Physician
Having been at the bedside of over a hundred people
who have died in my presence...
The sense of failure and grief are intense

The... Damage never goes away

It's one of those things that
If you don't know, I can't tell you
You have to be there to understand...

Ask a Woman who has had their Child Die
Ask a Priest who has a Parishoner Suicide

[mmercier]

Unity and desire to maintain.

Separation from group is more painful than dying with group.

[Wuli]

"Every warrior comes away with their own demons".

No "every warrior" does not, because (a) not "every warrior" has such "demons" in the first place and (b) not "every warrior" spends the ENTIRE rest of their life expelling any "demons" they did obtain; if they ever had them in the first place.

Some people were never cut out to be soldiers in the first place.

"I was in the Army during Vietnam and most of those poor guys that came back were sad & scary figures."

Again, NOT TRUE.

Of the approximately 2.6 million soldiers who served "in country" during the Vietnam war, "MOST" of them DID NOT return as "sad & scary figures". A "great number"?? Yes. Most? No. "Most" came back as and remained well adjusted individuals.

Just like the case with the young hero of this story; we need to honor his record of bravery, heroism, love of country, and desire and drive to help his fellow vets. But, "MOST" returning vets from the Iraq and Afghan theaters are NOT living with his demons or meeting his tragic end. As real and tragic as these stories are, they are never reflective of MOST vets. MOST vets do not develop such demons and among those who do, MOST are made of stronger stuff in dealing with them.

[oh8eleven]

did this person have any other aspects to his life besides military issues that could have some significance in this.
From the story ... "Last year, Hunt's life took a downward spiral. His marriage ended, he dropped out of school ..."
Who knows, maybe alcohol and drugs were involved too. Whatever, the burden was too much even for a good Marine.

[240B]

What never goes away?
+++++++++++++++++
No way to answer that question. No way describe it.

It is just what it is. If you jumped out of bed with an adrenaline surge, every time you hear a bump downstairs or a noise outside or change lanes with the slightest bit of debris on the road or sat staring at your double bolted front door waiting for it to come crashing down followed by whatever...

It does get better. It just takes lots of time even years.

[struwwelpeter]

Be at peace, Marine.