From a reader:
Kenny, a guy who commented on your blog and who you have linked at “ sgt bobs place” posted a suicide note Dec 31st. Bob was a 76 year old retired army vet in bad health. His wife gave me a call back this morning confirming that he had succeeded in his effort. He was a nice guy, had the opportunity to meet and shoot with him at a blogshoot hosted by the blogger borepatch a couple years ago. Sgt Bob had recently gotten covid and with his other chronic issues, it pushed him over the edge. His wife had no clue he was suicidal, he kept it pretty close to his vest.
Sorry to hear about the Sgt. Rest in Peace, Bob.
ReplyDeleteDamn. Prayers for his wife.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/qMkQExuzL_0
When I spoke to her, she was very composed and actually expressed concern about me having someone to talk to since I sounded pretty choked up while talking to her.
DeleteMy prayers both to Bob and his family. RIP.
ReplyDeletehttp://sgtbobittai.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteHis last post was his suicide note...
Very sad. Condolences to his wife and family.
ReplyDeleteThat is sad. Condolences to his wife and family.
ReplyDeleteWill say a prayer.
ReplyDeleteFitty
Damn.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace, and rise in Glory.
Now, I’m not talking about when you are in hospice suffering and you get helped across with a little extra bump of morphine but a lot of other circumstances. Suicide punishes your family, when you are on the ropes you wont realize that. As a social worker, I dealt with a few families where the parent killed themself or one of the kids suicided. We are talking serious permanent damage to the survivors especially if we are talking about younger people. Suicide can be pretty compelling when you don't see an end to the pain, don't leave your family wondering if they failed you.
ReplyDeleteToo true, unfortunately. My former boss's wife was clinically depressed and killed herself a few years ago. It tore their oldest son up so bad he killed himself as well. Don not only had to deal with his wife's death, but his oldest son's as well - both within a week.
Delete^^^^^
DeletePlease
I went to the link in Wisco's comment above. I wish I hadn't. Very sad RIP Bob.
ReplyDeleteNemo
Go to the first comment’s link. The YouTube one.
DeleteYou’ll feel better.
WiscoDave
A respected psychiatrist in my town once told me (after a discussion of a local TV news personality who shot himself), "the truly suicidal cannot be saved." He explained that no payor will reimburse for never ending hospitalization and many (like the TV guy) will just comply, say the right things and as soon as they have an opportunity, kill themselves. Funny thing though, that psychiatrist blew his own head off with a shotgun several years later. It's often a devastating medical diagnosis, as it was with the doc. Sad about Bob but it was clear in his post, his mind was made up.
ReplyDeleteSo sad rip .we cannot judge others for what they do. For we haven't walked that mile. Maybe the loved one doesn't want to burden family with bills and having to be taken care of. We can never know what they think. There is a certain dignity that everyone needs. Prayers to the family.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading his recent posts, I think the one about him pissing himself 4 times in bed and not being able to get up to deal with it was what pushed him over. If I put myself in his shoes, I do not want my wife or sons having to take care of me when I "soil" myself.
DeleteHard stuff as I do not think I would ever kill myself but who knows until you get in that situation?
What is there to hang around for? What will get better? If he died from natural causes would it be easier on the survivors? Let's revisit this issue in a month.
DeleteWell hoping ol Sgt Bob saves me a beer there in Fiddlers Green.
ReplyDeleteFiddler’s Green
Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead Troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers’ Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers’ Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No Trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he’s emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers’ Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers’ Green.
RIP Sgt Bob
Sorry to hear this,condolences to the family.
ReplyDeleteI had not seen me dad in awhile,we chatted on phone and he was going to be at his place in Boston visiting and made plans to get together.
I then got the call a day before meetup he had killed himself.
I was pissed off but as time passed realized he had Parkinsons and other issues and I guess he was done with it and also knowing him did not want to be a burden as he saw it.
I am still pissed but also understand and have found peace as best as possible,hope the Sarge's family also finds peace.
Always a sad thing.
ReplyDeletePaul J
Dammit... I hate to hear this. May he rest in peace, and NOT be in pain any longer. Prayers for the family.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad that our medical folks will not address these issues in older folks. Rest in peace, sir. I hope that your pain and suffering are resolved in what lies beyond.
ReplyDeleteRIP
ReplyDeleteMy Mom ended her life with a self defense pistol she asked me for. The coroner said she knew exactly where to put the 22 bullet. Off like a light switch, no suffering. She had suffered decades of back and neck pain with the regular migraine headache thrown in just for extra misery.
ReplyDeleteI was well aware of her situation, knew there was nothing I could have done. Still, I felt guilty, took years to work my way out of it. The Wife and I have been through enough disasters, sickness and debilitating injuries that we know suicide is a viable exit strategy. However we're tough, it will figuratively or literally have to be down to our last cartridge. We want to live long enough to help those that need helping and kill those that need killln'.
Be innocent as a dove, but wise as a serpent, love in your heart, but be wary and ready.
Pretty sure Kenny knows who I am, I'm fine with that, he's an honorable man. Thanks Ken, for this fine public service, entertainment blog.
I'll be anonny mouse this time.