Parents share son's sad story of suicide

Scourge of war: Parents share son's sad story of suicide
By Todd South
Chattanooga Times/Free Press, Tenn.
Published: February 10, 2013

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Jeff and Paige McDonald sat down recently in front of a television camera, looked into glaring lights and shared memories of the worst day of their lives.

The married couple, who live in Dalton, Ga., were asked by filmmakers contracted with comedian Ron White's production company to tell the story of their son's suicide as part of his sixth annual "Salute to the Troops" special scheduled to air on the Country Music Television channel on March 15.

The camera crew spent most of the afternoon of Feb. 1 with the McDonalds and local former Marine Staff Sgt. Joey Jones, a childhood friend of the couple's son Chris McDonald.

Jones was featured in a yearlong series of Chattanooga Times Free Press stories tracking his recovery after the sergeant lost both legs above the knee to an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.

McDonald's story, while different, is equally heartbreaking.

Chris McDonald ran headfirst at every challenge in his young life, excelling in school, four sports and rising fast in the ranks of the U.S. Marine Corps.
read more here