Support Our Troops - Fund Suicide Prevention Programs

Over twenty years ago I lost someone very close to me to depression and suicide. This past Christmas, one of my wife's good friends lost her only child to the same curse at eighteen years of age.

Reading the following courageous message from an IAVA family this evening brought back some painful memories. This message reminds us that not all wounds are visible. Military men and women are carrying many scars inside that we can never appreciate. America owes these Americans our care and support.

On December 22, 2005, just a few months after returning from an eleven-month tour in Iraq, our son Joshua took his own life. Like so many of the brave men and women who have fought in these wars, Josh was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

We made a conscious decision not to stay silent about our son's death. Josh's aunt Julie established a memorial site for our son, and we've been working with the media and veterans organizations to make sure his story is heard. If these efforts save one life and keep one family from going through this great sorrow of loss, it is worth it.

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the Joshua Omvig Veterans Suicide Prevention Act, which will mandate better suicide prevention training for VA staff, establish a referral system to make sure that vets at risk receive care and open a 24-hour veterans' suicide hotline. This bill has Josh's name on it, but represents so many men and women, before Josh and after, who were unable to live with the physical, emotional and psychological aftermath of their service for us.

Thank you so much for continuing to support IAVA and our young veterans. We would also like to thank Congressman Boswell for his steadfast work on presenting and assuring the passage of the Act in the House of Representatives.

It is now time to work on passage of the companion bill in the Senate, S.479 introduced by Senator Harkin. We're making progress, and it's time to get this bill into law, and get it out there so it can help those men, women and families that need it. Please call your Senators today, or send them a note, and tell them you support S.479. It is our duty and responsibility to do whatever we can to help our veterans survive the peace after their service.

Thank you.

Ellen and Randy Omvig
Parents of Spc. Joshua Omvig,
Iraq War Veteran

QuestionItNow - Still In Iraq