On my second trip to Iraq, I traveled out to a distant FOB (Forward Operating Base) to perform for the troops stationed there. Upon arrival, I was notified by the commanding officer that morale was extremely low there and that a young soldier had committed suicide the day before our arrival. This story rattled me and my crew and provoked me to research the statistics and causes more extensively. What I found was completely astonishing. Since that moment of enlightment, I have worked to help raise awareness of this enormous "hush-hush" problem of soldier suicides. There are always reasons, but none of them is good enough to take your own life... even when it feels like it is. I have been researching and working tirelessly to form a not-for-profit organization that gives soldiers a central resource for information about suicide prevention, counseling, spiritual guidance, and family support that doesn't tie itself directly to the military. So many soldiers do not seek help because of legitimate concerns they will have a black mark on their military file which can significantly affect career growth as a soldier with a "mental disorder". I don't care about anything but helping these soldiers get back to a good place. That requires backbone. You can't pussy-foot around this topic. I haven't got everything 100% in order for my organization yet, so until I do, I will post links, videos, phone numbers, and other information on here as I find it. If you know of a great source for help, please send me a message. If you would like to help get our wheels off the ground with this organization, you can help by simply clicking the "Donate" button below.

God Bless America and those who fight and die to keep it free.  Thanks for your help and support!

Your friend,

Phil Vandel