"Goodbye": My Daily Burden from Suicide by Shara Hegr In 2011 when my husband was critically wounded while serving in Afghanistan, I incorrectly assumed I knew the greatest depths of emotional turmoil and grief. Unfortunately, just three years later my dad committed suicide on my 30th birthday—once again, throwing me into despair. My birthday began with a surprise … [Read more...]
All I Want for Christmas
All I Want for Christmas by Chris Mattingly Dear B, I was told not to write this, I was told you would resent me even more than you do. I have decided not to come visit you for the holidays. My views of the holidays are now skewed and broken, I don't think I have ever had a normal holiday, until last year when you came with me to Colorado, but even that was … [Read more...]
Mainstream Media’s TWA 847 Hijacking Misinformation Isn’t Just Wrong–It’s Painful
Mainstream Media's TWA 847 Hijacking Misinformation Isn't Just Wrong--It's Painful by Kerry Patton Imagine being in your home listening to the news and hearing a story that hits way too close to home. We are discussing a story that is breaking news which helps bring closure to a tragedy which happened many years ago to your family. And the first you learn about this … [Read more...]
War Cuts Deep
War Cuts Deep by Will Aker War cuts with an invisible blade. A blade you’re blind to, blind to how it cuts you. War slices everyone differently and the wounds heal at their own time. This type of cut goes goes so deep it makes you numb, you have to open it back up to feel again. Then you realize you might not want to feel at all. War cuts are dangerous you see. War cuts you … [Read more...]
Lessons from a Grieving Mother Whale
Lessons from a Grieving Mother Whale by Jenny Albers Losing a child is a club you never want to join. Whether you lose a child in war, in womb or late in life, the loss of a child is a parent's worst nightmare and impossible to grasp without experiencing it first hand. Grief is a natural response when a loved one dies. The grief never goes away and you are forced to live … [Read more...]
Raw Words from a Gold Star Sibling’s Heart: “But, My Soldier was a Hero Too”
Raw Words from a Gold Star Sibling’s Heart: "But, My Soldier was a Hero Too" by Mary Elizabeth Morgan, who remembers her only sibling, Sgt. Curtis F. Greene, who honorably served our country and died by suicide. _____ My soldier joined the summer after graduation, which I'm sure yours did too. My soldier made lifelong brotherhood battles, with soldiers just like yours. … [Read more...]
Before You Kill Yourself, Read This
You’re thinking about it. Ending your life. Stopping the pain. Doing it because you think it’s best for those around you. You’re tired of your shit being the cause of other people’s pain. Tired of fighting demons. Tired of… just tired. If you are in imminent risk of ending your life, please call 911 or the National Suicide hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Every night, every … [Read more...]
It’s Memorial Day Weekend: Let people BBQ!
Written by Special Guest Author: Sailor Jerri When people thank us for our service on Memorial Day, our go-to is getting angry. We lash out and puff up and tell this uneducated civilian, “Don’t Thank Me… thank the ones who didn't make it back.” Frankly, Veterans, we need to do better. As sad as it is for us to admit, many people just don't know the difference between … [Read more...]
I Love You Still
I love you still. by BRITTA REQUE-DRAGICEVIC The words do not pour forth; they catch in my breasts, clutch at my throat, refuse to be told. I can’t write of finding your body, your warm blood melting the cold snow, the fixed gaze of your eyes forever staring into darkness. That same darkness I was not able to save you from. I can’t write of how my being tore in … [Read more...]
From Ritual to Reality: Because He Lives
Originally published March 27, 2016 by Scoti Domeij My annual nostalgia of Easter now blossoms in reverse. My firstborn was killed in Afghanistan in the fall of 2011, the wild season of skeletal trees surrendering their fiery leaves to swirl and spiral into oblivion. Winter’s crushing mourning forged ahead—unstoppable, bringing life as I knew it to an abrupt halt. … [Read more...]
