Here are the facts:
The upswing of suicides has caught some by surprise because of 2010 and 2011 numbers leveling off..
Robert Burns of the AP writes this:
Suicides are surging among America’s troops, averaging nearly one a day this year - the fastest pace in the nation’s decade of war.The 154 suicides for active-duty troops in the first 155 days of the year far outdistance the U.S. forces killed in action in Afghanistan - about 50 percent more - according to Pentagon statistics obtained by The Associated Press
The AP dispatch can’t play up these numbers enough: Almost 1 for every day ..
We are seeing something unique in our current wars and soon to be post wars (and maybe soon to be new wars).. Battle grounds new and different. People don’t die in big numbers last in past wars… now injuries are soaring along with mental issues and PTSD among troops.
Will officials address concerns of our soldiers? Will we treat war vets with the care they need?
Current suicide numbers are dismaying .. and distressing for all of those who hope we honor our soldiers as they should be honored..