Your opinion on memorial ceremonies for Servicemembers who suicided?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 07 May 2015 10:51:15 -0400

Units honor the fallen downrange and in garrison with memorial ceremonies. Many units do not distinguish how the person died. Yet there remain many strong feelings on both sides about whether we should provide battalion or company or none at all, for that matter - memorial ceremonies for those who suicided. What is YOUR opinion? If you are currently serving, what are your unit's regs?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 10:53 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 10:53:04 -0400

I believe the memorial ceremony is justified. All though they chose to leave this world in a way that I do not agree with I am sure there was a reason. They are still Soldiers that were serving and most were serving honorably. My unit does them.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 7 at 2015 10:54 AM

SFC Stephen King — Thu, 07 May 2015 10:54:16 -0400

I will be the first to tell you I have no problem. So let all the debate begin. If someone is suffering and thoughts drive consequences, emotions: what you feel, reactions: what you do, that doesn't negate or dismiss their service, they are part of a team our US Military. I have been to many memorials for various reasons and I also feel it is a right.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 11:03 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:03:29 -0400

My thoughts is that you should have a memorial service for them. In my opinion your not memorializing how they passed, but how they lived. It should also be done to offer closure to members of the unit and that soldiers friends. Let them come together collectively and grieve and remember the great/good/funny/sad moments with a friend who is no longer there.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 11:04 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:04:21 -0400

I think with the inner demons that we all deal with that all those that served should be honored in some way, even those that committed suicide.

Also, I know don't think that suicided is correct. I think it is actually referred to as someone who committed suicide.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 7 at 2015 11:20 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:20:44 -0400

What are your thoughts.....?

Response by SPC Christian Ziegler made May 7 at 2015 11:25 AM

SPC Christian Ziegler — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:25:40 -0400

They served honorably why not. It is very hard to live with those inner demon's. In this society there are things that we are thought we should never do, well some had to do them and just cant forgive them self. Or there world falls apart around them and no matter what they do it seams like it just gets worse and so they break. But it does not mean they where not good service personal.

"For he who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother" that's what is all about not if they died in combat or committed suicide. Scouts Out

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 7 at 2015 11:27 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:27:49 -0400

It's only right and just to salute the SM, not the manner of their death. Some people have demons that others can't even begin to comprehend which may be related to but not a reflection of their service to the nation.

Only caveat might be, based on circumstances, taking innocent lives then suiciding. Nothing honorable there.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 7 at 2015 11:34 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 07 May 2015 11:34:00 -0400

I look at Suicide as a Mental Health issue. That said, it is a subset of a Medical issue. We don't distinguish between other forms of death that resulted from Medical, therefore why is suicide any different?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 12:24 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:24:07 -0400

A life loss is always tragic and should be remembered.

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2015 12:33 PM

CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:33:02 -0400

As an Army Chaplain, I've done both. Bottom Line: My opinion does not matter. Ceremonies, by reg, belong to commanders. (Which is why they can be mandatory, unlike a "service" which is religious in nature.) No matter what caused our comrades to fall, be it the enemy within, or outside, their LOVED ONES deserve to see their service (if not their final act) HONORED. Ceremonies are for the living, not the dead. That SM's battle buddy needs that service. That SM's widow needs that service. That SM's platoon needs an opportunity to say good bye.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made May 7 at 2015 12:35 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:35:15 -0400

Funerals are the families to give them a sense of closure when a family member passes. It doesn't matter how that member passes. If the person served then why not provide them with a memorial ceremony? No one truly knows why a person becomes suicidal. We are given training to help identify those members who may become suicidal based on their personal actions, especially around the holidays, but this is not 100%. People have problems they don't know how to deal with and some fall through the cracks. So I think that everyone should have memorial ceremonies. My thoughts.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 7 at 2015 12:46 PM

SFC Joseph James — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:46:07 -0400

No matter how a service member passes we should still honor their service. People still care about them and we still owe them for that service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 7 at 2015 12:49 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 07 May 2015 12:49:33 -0400

If nothing else the deceased will get a full funeral team for the solemn moment of saying goodbye.