Posted on Dec 9, 2015
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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Anniversary and loss of a family member on 8 December 2015 - Did you know this is the reason I Work hard for Veterans - My Family Lost a Brother, Veteran, Father, and husband last year to Suicide? This is one of the many reasons - there are thousands more out there needing our help!

RP Members we lost another Brother, Veteran, Father, and Husband to Suicide yesterday in Killeen, Texas. This was my wife's father who served and fought in Vietnam as a Sniper and who came back to this nation with severe PTSD. His name was Loren Leon Hazeldahl

We will make sure that he is buried with all the honors afforded an American Veteran over the next few days.

I share this with the RP Community because we have to all work together to try and reduce this loss of life due to PTSD, TBI, MST, severe wounds and disabilities, unemployment, and homelessness for our veterans that are struggling. There are so many and I'm sure that all of you have been affected by this in one way or another. We have seen many of our close friends in the service, family members, relatives, and those we have served along side end their lives in this manner.

We cannot forget them and we can't leave those that are suffering behind.

May Loren Rest in Peace!

Provided below are a list of Veteran Organizations that I’m involved in:

Member, Board of Directors for National Veterans Transition Service, Inc. (NVTSI)
Helping Veterans successfully transition from the battlefront to the home front, NVTSI is a San Diego-based 501(c)(3) dedicated to assisting veterans in their reentry. We accomplish this by providing an early-stage cognitive-behavioral educational intervention, via a 3-week intensive workshop – REBOOT – followed by related mentoring and other services.  Here is link to their website:

http://www.nvtsi.org

Member, Board of Directors, Victory for Veterans - As a Board Member provides strategic leadership and vision toward the mission of Victory for Veterans to fund non-profits serving Veterans experiencing the emotional challenges of PTSD, depression, loneliness, anger and others that often can trigger joblessness and lead to homelessness. These factors are partial explanations for the high suicide rate among Veterans, currently around 22 per day. Check out the website:

http://www.victoryforveterans.org

Warrior for Life (WFL) Group Support Meetings throughout the month. You can connect with me on SKYPE and become a part of this group at anytime by sending me a connection request to: mikel.burroughs

Regards,

Mikel J. Burroughs
Member, Board of Directors 
Victory for Veterans
Web: http://www.VictoryForVeterans.org
FaceBook: @VFVets (http://www.FaceBook.com/VFVets)
Twitter: @VictoryVets (http://www.twitter.com/VictoryVets)
LinkedIn: Victory For Veterans (http://www.linkedin.com/company/Victory-For-Veterans)
Cell:   [login to see]
[login to see]

"They Fought for our Freedom, Let's Fight for Theirs!"

I look forward to communicating with you in the future. I hope to connect with as many of you on all the programs above to support of the veterans, service members, and retirees on RallyPoint.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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Hey I wanted to share an update with everyone that posted on this discussion - As you know my wife's Father, my Father-In-Law (Vietnam Veteran with PTSD) committed suicide on December 8th, 2015 and was buried with military honors on Wednesday, December 16, 2015. I wanted to thank all the RallyPoin Members for ther condolences and kind words on that post. I shared them with my wife upon her return. She wanted me to share her eulogy that she provided on Wednesday for here father. She shared a poem that really puts into perspective what a lot of veterans and active duty soldiers are going through today - we must stop suicides from happening.

Here is what she wanted to share (poem):

I'd Like to thank you all for coming today to remember Loren Hazeldahl

W.S. Gilbert wrote, "Its love that makes the world go round!" Well, if that's true, I'm sure you'd all agree, the world spun a little faster with Dad in it.

I'd like to read a poem, which I felt was fitting for this difficult time

No-one knew the true torment,
that you were going through;
We only kept on seeing
what we really wanted to.

We saw the outward smile,
But not your inner pain;
No-one ever truly thought
That you would never sing again.

Forgive us if we failed to see,
what we could do to aid;
Or if we failed to comprehend,
How much you were afraid.

We pray your mental anguish,
Will now forever cease;
And that your deep anxieties,
be replaced with peace.

We know your pain invaded,
every single thought you had;
It made you cry internally,
And so very deeply sad.

But we in turn remember,
The good times, not the bad;
We'll remember when you sang for us,
And not when you were sad.

So when we think about your life,
We won't dwell upon its close,
We'll remember all the good times,
And forgive the path you chose.

We'll remember all the happiness
The joy and not the tears;
your assurance and your confidence,
And not your fears.

Our lives have all been better,
Because you have been there;
So now we leave your memory,
In Gods loving Care.

I remember Dad telling me, "Baby, you sure can light up a room!"
Well Dad, I'm here to tell you.... The world is now a lot less bright without you in it!

If he were with us today, He would ask us not to mourn his death, but to celebrate his life. He would tell us to love our true friends and families unconditionally and hold them very close, because in the end, they are all what truly matter.

Dad, may the Lord hold you in the palm of His hand.

Bella Burroughs


LTC Raymond MillenPvt Thomas AlligoodSPC (Join to see)SGT (Join to see)Sgt George LawrenceCWO2 S RSgt Diane JankowskiCadet CPL (Join to see)Mathew BaldwinLT (Join to see)CMSgt (Join to see)MSgt (Join to see)SSgt Rexford NicholsCadet 1SG Tyler ReedCSM Eric BiggsPVT Denise Biers1LT Rich Voss1SG (Join to see)SFC Daniel McIntireSGM Christy Martinez
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter - Thanks for the kind words and thoughts Lawrence!
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SP5 Dennis Dorsey
SP5 Dennis Dorsey
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Thank you for sharing with us as this can affect us all. I am sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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SP5 Dennis Dorsey - Thanks for the kind words!
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LTC James McElreath
LTC James McElreath
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Thank you and your wife for sharing these beautiful words that we too might be at peace with our demands as well.
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PO1 John Miller
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
So sorry for your family's loss brother! I'm sure the Patriot Guard Riders would be able to stand a Flag Line for your Father In Law!
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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PO1 John Miller and SGM (Join to see) I'm just waiting on the key date/time/locations and then I will reach out to them. I want to have my ducks in order! Thank you both!
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SGM David W. Carr  LOM, DMSM  MP SGT
SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT
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The local PGR is very active and had been to the military cemetery on many occasions.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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PO1 John Miller The mission is a GO for the Patriot Guard Riders - it will be Wednesday at 10:30 procession to Killeen National Cemetery - thanks John
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
That's great news!
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MSgt Electrical Power Production
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
So sorry for your families loss! My he rest in peace and the Lord bless your family!

This nation really has to do a better job on protecting and helping those that are plagued with demons and contemplate or commit suicide.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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MSgt (Join to see) Thank you for the warm and kind message - I agree we need to do more as a nation and as a brotherhood/sisterhood of service veterans and retirees, so we don't leave anymore to this type of tragic ending!
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