This was written by one of my son's unit brothers, Chip Hester, right after my son passed away. I just found out one of my brothers committed suicide. I knew him as Doc McDonald. He was a medic I served with in Afghanistan. The day my truck hit an IED (improvised explosive device) Doc was in the back seats. When I came to and realized everything was ok Doc was already touching me and accessing our gunner. We were not hurt too bad just banged up a little. For civilians the IED we hit was a smaller one made of HME (homemade explosives), the size of the Boston city marathon bomb. After we drove our busted ass truck back to our base. We were met with flack from our Cpt and 1st sgt telling us we we’re dumb or some shit like that because we got blown up. After our upper leadership went back to go eat, play poker, watch TV or whatever they did the ENTIRE war, we men went to the medic station to be evaluated. Doc starts looking at me and the rest of us who got blown up to start evaluating us medically. I told Doc’s dumbass to sit down and get checked out too because he seemed to have forgot he had been blown up as well! Anyways, I say that because here was a guy who didn’t think about himself and was thinking of others regardless of what he just went through. I lost a Friend, and a Brother. 4 children lost a Father. The United States lost a hero. In the Warrior Community we lost a quiet Medicine Man. The week before (this post you are reading) we lost another guy from suicide as well. I didn’t know him personally but he is still a brother. Before that I lost count. Also, just to be clear to civilians or those who don’t understand the veteran community. I have never been suicidal or attempted suicide. I am PISSED and HURT because it doesn’t have to be like that. I personally hate the stigma that is placed on combat soldiers. That’s why I hate the 22push up shit (my personal opinion). I feel like: don’t do push ups HELP, build mental health facilities or groups in your own community and stop judging other communities. You have no idea what someone else is going through. EVERYONE NOT JUST VETERANS. We (Veterans) have free programs and they even pay us to go to mental health programs. We just gotta help get more vets there. It’s just frustrating because this could have possibly been avoided. I don’t need an I’m sorry for your loss I need this. ***************** READ BELOW****************** If anyone knows anyone going through some shit please hit me up I will talk to them. Don’t be silent I will help you and If I can’t help you I know people who can. Veteran no veteran it doesn’t matter.