LEWIS-MCCHORD soldier called liar and coward after three suicide attempts, hung himself

Sgt. Derrick Kirkland is a casualty of the military. He tried to commit suicide three times but when he tried to get help, he was called a liar and coward. While we read glowing reports of how the military has gotten their act together on addressing combat PTSD, the truth is far from what is reported. Will any of the leadership at Lewis-McChord be held accountable? Doubt it since there has already been an "investigation" the members of his unit do not agree with. After all, they were there by his side. What kind of message does this send to everyone else coming home with PTSD? It tells them the DOD is full of of it and they will be less likely to seek help or say a word about how much they need it.

We can excuse it when they refuse to seek help as if that is supposed to make any sense but when they do ask for help, in this case, scream for help, and they don't get it, we'll see the numbers of needless deaths go up.

Military veterans: Soldier suicides now at epidemic rate
By Keith Eldridge Published: Aug 10, 2011

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD -- When the 4th Stryker brigade returned home from Iraq last year, the soldiers were met with smiles and warm hugs.

Missing from their ranks was Sgt. Derrick Kirkland. The husband and father had been sent home from Iraq five months earlier after trying to commit suicide three times.

"The doctors at Madigan (Army Hospital), for some reason after three suicide attempts in a matter of a couple of weeks, rated Kirkland as low-risk for suicide," said Army veteran Mike Prysner.

Fellow unit members say Kirkland returned to his rear detachment unit at JBLM where he was allegedly called a liar and a coward.

"After mocking him on a Friday night, he was sent to a room by himself, which is complete contradiction to anybody who has any amounts of common sense," said fellow soldier Kevin Baker.

"He was placed by himself, and he was found Sunday morning. He'd hung himself in a closet."

Kirkland's supporters say the Army cleared itself in an internal investigation, but they want the investigation reopened.

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