Iraq tour marine hanged himself

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1576570,00.html

A Royal Marine who narrowly avoided being killed when he witnessed five colleagues die in a helicopter crash in Iraq hanged himself on board his warship, an inquest heard yesterday.

The parents of David Ward, 21, described how the Royal Navy brushed aside requests for help after their son began drinking heavily and became depressed on returning from a six-month tour of duty in Basra in 2003.

His mother, Ann Ward, told the hearing in Plymouth that after she contacted his unit, 42 Commando, with concerns about his depression a sergeant humiliated him in front of other Marines by saying "Mummy has been on the phone telling us to look after you". She said her son went to see an officer but was told to "go back to bed" hours before he hanged himself on HMS Albion as it was docked at Devonport naval base, Plymouth, in March.

[FreedomAngel82]

1. How sad

:cry:

[AirmensMom]

2. Oh, that's so sad.

I hope bush and his cronies burn in hell for all the suffering they've caused.

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. That poor family :^(

[melody]

4. no justice in the world for the small and fragile people :(

:(

[ismnotwasm]

5. Dammit

Where is the followup for these soldiers? Did we learn NOTHING from previous wars? The suicide rate for Vietnam vets was 33% above the national average. Not to mention the drug and alcohol abuse and divorce rates. A very nice man gave me this book for my daughter called "Nam Vet"-- making peace with your past by Chuck Dean. It has a "find God" type message at the end, (not knocking it, just mentioning for those who don't go that route)The auther covered all the bases I thought. And here we are, doing the same shit again.

[hardrainfallin]

6. how sad.

[Just Me]

7. Whatever happened to: "We only as strong as the weakest among us."?

:cry: Even AFTER reaching for help, he was beaten down!?!?! :cry: