Read this story and then watch the video. It even made me cry~
Marine from Davie takes own life after battling demons of war
By Mike Clary
Sun Sentinel
January 16, 2013
As a machine gunner in the U.S. Marine Corps, John Lutz survived combat tours in Afghanistan and Iraq while earning 13 service commendations and the respect of his buddies.
"He was a Marine to the fullest," said fellow Marine Kevin Ullman. "He was someone who could lighten any situation with witty sarcasm."
Ultimately, however, Lutz could not escape the demons he carried back home to Davie after his discharge 18 months ago.
On Saturday, just hours after a lunch with his mother in which he chatted about his classes at Palm Beach State College, Lutz swallowed a handful of pills VA doctors had prescribed to help him cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lutz died in his bedroom, in the house where he grew up. He was 24.
"I'm sorry," he said in a farewell note he left on his open laptop. "I am happier now."
Among active duty members of the military, suicide is epidemic, according to Pentagon officials. Last year 349 active-duty troops took their lives, according to figures obtained Monday by the Associated Press. That exceeds the 295 Americans who died from combat in Afghanistan.
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We didn't know you....We actually just heard
ReplyDeletehow you left this cruel
earth....Our hearts break for you and your family left behind. We will
remember you in our prayers..
Your neighbors...Ken and Judy at 3301