I Just Love an Unjust War, Don’t You?

Despite higher suicide rates and increasing reports of PTSD among soldiers, people who aren’t equipped emotionally to go back to Iraq or Afghanistan are being sent back anyway. (And, if I may climb on my soapbox for a moment, the Army has said it’s willing to lower IQ requirements and allow felons to serve because the enlistment numbers are down. But capable gays and lesbians need not apply! Idiots.)

We don’t always know the whole story right away, but sometimes we can piece it together.

A 21-year-old Army National Guardsman from Iowa was on the phone with his former girlfriend when he fatally shot himself in the basement of her Holmen home late Friday, officials said.
…
The woman learned from his sister that Clements, of Boone, Iowa, had failed to report for military drills and had not been seen.

The woman then went home, where she and a friend walked through the house, turning on lights and checking each room on the main floor, according to the reports.

She tried to call Clements, and he picked up but hung up before responding. When she called again, he answered and when pressed admitted he was in the basement, according to the police report.

He said he wanted to see her one last time, he was sorry and he loved her. When she asked what he was talking about, she heard a loud bang, according to the report.

…
Police found Clements’ body in the basement, with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A .45-caliber Springfield gun was still in his hand, loaded with five live rounds of ammunition, including one in the chamber, according to the report. A partially consumed bottle of wine also was found, but no suicide note.

Holmen police Chief Mike McHugh said his department was working with the military to investigate the incident. Clements is thought to have returned from Iraq a few months ago, he said, and speculation was he might soon be headed back.

Emphasis mine. Because how much you wanna bet?

Iowa soldier commits suicide in Holmen home

[To get the messenger bag, go here.]

liz | 9:30 AM | Uncategorized