Please help me honor Jeffery and all fallen soldiers who are not allowed on Memorial Walls

  • by: Debra R
  • recipient: President Donald J. Trump, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, Department of Defense

My son served over 10 years with the United States Marines. He served 2 tours to Iraq, 1 tour to Afghanistan and 1 tour to Yemen. He was still on active duty but unfortunately due to PTSD ended his life on August 12th, 2014.

I requested that he be added to a Memorial wall located in Long Beach, California so he could be honored for his service. I was informed that because the Department of Defense doesn't recognize suicide as a death suffered in the line of duty, he won't be added.

This is wrong and needs to change. Our military men and women give up so much to proudly defend our country. They perform their duty and should be recognized, not discriminated against. There is an epidemic in this country and we are losing our loved ones to it.

Twenty two active duty soldiers and military veterans commit suicide every single day, a rate more than double that of the general public. If the Department of Defense won't recognize military suicides how are we going to stop this tragedy and care for those like my son?

Update #35 years ago
Received an email today the petition has successfully been submitted to the DOD. Thank you everyone for the support. It is greatly appreciated. Still trying to find a direct contact to submit it to President Trump.
Update #26 years ago
Share the petition to help us reach 50,000 supporters. I'm meeting with Indiana Senator Joe Donnelly this Wednesday and would love to show him how much people care. Sen. Donnelly serves on the Armed Services Committee and could be a very valuable leader in efforts to recognize my son and fallen soldiers like him.

Thank you so much for speaking up for soldiers lost to PTSD and suicide.
Update #16 years ago
Wanted to let you all know that I have been given permission to add my son to the Veteran's Memorial Plaza in Indianapolis, Indiana and honor him for his service. This is the first for him to be added onto a memorial. I thank you all for your support. Please continue to share and help me reach 50,000 signatures so that we can get things changed and have all of our loved ones recognized and honored for their service. And not left behind because of how they died.

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