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Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/4/2008 6:49:00 PM

dcnovice

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quote:

Soldier suicides this year could surpass the record rate of last year, Army officials said Thursday, urging military leaders at all levels to redouble prevention efforts for a force strained by two wars.

As of the end of August, there were 62 confirmed suicides among active duty soldiers and Guard and Reserve troops called to active duty, officials said. Another 31 deaths appear to be suicides but are still being investigated.

If all are confirmed, that means that the number for 2008 could eclipse the 115 of last year — and the rate per 100,000 could surpass that of the civilian population, Col. Eddie Stephens, deputy director of human resources policy, said at a Pentagon news conference.

Source: AP/Yahoo News

* * *

May those who died rest in peace.

May those who soldier on find the support they need.

* * *

The following organizations offer opportunities to aid the troops:

USO: How to Help

Pen Pals for Soldiers: FAQ

U.S. Army: How You Can Help

< Message edited by dcnovice -- 9/4/2008 6:59:24 PM >

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RE: Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/4/2008 6:58:32 PM

Jeffff

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Amen.........

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RE: Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/4/2008 8:40:30 PM

FirmhandKY

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DC, these types of reports have been debunked several times, because of faulty comparisons. All previous studies which triumphed the same headlines have been found to be sensationalist, and statistically invalid.

I suspect this one is no different.

My question is ... what was your purpose in posting it?

Firm

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RE: Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/4/2008 8:43:26 PM

philosophy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

My question is ... what was your purpose in posting it?

...well to be fair Firm, DC linked to a bunch of support sites. i read it as a genuine attempt to offer support.......

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RE: Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/4/2008 9:00:36 PM

FirmhandKY

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quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

quote:

ORIGINAL: FirmhandKY

My question is ... what was your purpose in posting it?

...well to be fair Firm, DC linked to a bunch of support sites. i read it as a genuine attempt to offer support.......

Although I generally disagree with DC, I have a warm place in my heart from him. He is a very genuine, thoughtful human being.

And my question was also genuine curiosity.

Firm

< Message edited by FirmhandKY -- 9/4/2008 9:01:06 PM >

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RE: Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/4/2008 10:34:54 PM

Vendaval

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Thank you for the post and links, dc. Our service persons and their families very much need our support.

There have been several stories on MSNBC related to this topic -

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#24018416

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25725433#25725433

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24215941#24215941

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24215941#24314161

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#26529132

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RE: Army: soldier suicide rate may set record again - 9/5/2008 5:54:01 AM

dcnovice

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quote:

DC, these types of reports have been debunked several times, because of faulty comparisons. All previous studies which triumphed the same headlines have been found to be sensationalist, and statistically invalid.

I suspect this one is no different.

That's possible, but the news story cites Army officials as its source.

quote:

My question is ... what was your purpose in posting it?

I had two thoughts in mind.

The first was that we tend to debate the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as if they were abstractions or opportunities to score political points. This story reminds us that there are real human beings serving and suffering on our behalf. It's important, I think, not to lose sight of that.

The second was that awareness of the situation may make us want to take action, however modest, to help those who are serving.

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