Army suicides 41, National Guards 22, Reservists 18 for 2013 so far

Army Releases March 2013 Suicide Information
The Army released suicide data today for the month of March 2013.

During March, among active-duty soldiers, there were 10 potential suicides: three have been confirmed as suicides and seven remain under investigation.

For February 2013, the Army reported 11 potential suicides among active-duty soldiers; four have been confirmed as suicides and seven are under investigation.

For 2013, there have been 41 potential active-duty suicides: 15 have been confirmed as suicides and 26 remain under investigation.

Updated active-duty suicide numbers for 2012: 184 (158 have been confirmed as suicides and 26 remain under investigation).

During March 2013, among reserve component soldiers who were not on active duty, there were 12 potential suicides (8 Army National Guard and 4 Army Reserve): none have been confirmed as suicides and 12 remain under investigation.

For February 2013, among that same group, the Army reported 14 potential suicides (8 Army National Guard and 6 Army Reserve); 6 have been confirmed as suicides and 8 cases remain under investigation.

For 2013, there have been 40 potential not on active duty suicides (22 Army National Guard and 18 Army Reserve): 19 have been confirmed as suicides and 21 remain under investigation. Updated not on active duty suicide numbers for 2012: 140 (93 Army National Guard and 47 Army Reserve); 138 have been confirmed as suicides and two remain under investigation.
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Want to know why? Read this book.
THE WARRIOR SAW, SUICIDES AFTER WAR

Fort Hood Soldier Killed In Motorcycle Accident

Fort Hood Soldier Killed In Motorcycle Accident
BELL COUNTY
(April 14, 2013)--A motorcyclist who was injured Sunday in a crash near Salado has died.
The Department of Public Safety said Monday Joseph E. McDonald, 23, died as a result of his injuries.

A DPS Trooper said the man was a Fort Hood soldier and was riding with several other motorcyclists when the accident happened.
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Military doctors at Fort Hood failed soldier with cancer

San Benito soldier battles stage 4 cancer as wife wages war against military healthcare
by Marcy Martinez
Valley Central.com
Posted: 04.19.2013

Staff Sgt. Lupe Maldonado has been dedicated to his country and his work.

"As soon as he woke up from surgery he asked when he could go back to work."

His wife Yerika Maldonado skypes with us from their home in Fort Hood where SSG Maldonado is now stationed.

After several tours to Iraq, he's now spending his days at home, fighting for his life.

"He has Stage 4 cancer."

It was only after the Maldonado's turned to a civilian hospital recently that the soldier was told the grave news.

The cancer has spread from his colon to his spleen, pancreas, and lymph nodes.

His wife says if only he had been told sooner, the cancer may have not spread and become inoperable.

"He told his medic while in Iraq that he had blood in his stool and the medic said it was hemorroides. Then he came back and at the army clinic they told him the same thing and said he was clear for duty."
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Chris Kyle's widow writes foreword to his last book

Widow of Ex-Navy SEAL Contributes to His New Book
Apr 17, 2013
Associated Press

NEW YORK - The widow of Chris Kyle, the former Navy Seal and best-selling author shot dead in February, has contributed a foreword and afterword to a book her husband had been working on at the time of his death.
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Chris Kyle died pursuing his passion, helping veterans

Fort Hood Crews Respond to Fertilizer Plant Blast

Fort Hood Crews Respond to Fertilizer Plant Blast
Apr 18, 2013
Military.com
by Michael Hoffman

A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco, Texas, on Wednesday injured dozens of people and killed an unknown number of others, leaving the factory a smoldering ruin and leveling buildings for blocks in every direction.

Local authorities requested three vehicles and crews from the Fort Hood fire department to help with the search and rescue of victims in collapsed houses and a nursing home, a Fort Hood official said.

The explosion at West Fertilizer in West, Texas, a community about 20 miles north of Waco, happened shortly before 8 p.m. It sent flames shooting high into the night sky, and rained burning embers, shrapnel and debris down on shocked and frightened residents.

Although authorities said it will be some time before they know the full extent of the loss of life, Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman D.L. Wilson said just after midnight that an unknown number of people had died.

Fort Hood is located 50 miles south of West, Texas, and about an hour-long drive. No soldiers or other military personnel stationed at Fort Hood were known to be injured or killed in the explosion as of late Wednesday night, said Tom Rheinlander, a Fort Hood spokesman.
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