Does a servicemember's suicide qualify him as a combat casualty?

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http://www.stripes.com/polopoly_fs/1.105329.1275421502!/image/2831323888.jpg_gen/derivatives/large_article/2831323888.jpg

Jose Velez, left, and his little brother, Andrew, back home, the last time they saw each other. Army Spc. Jose Velez died in combat in Fallujah, Iraq in 2004. Andrew was also deployed there and escorted his brother's remains home, something their older sister Monica believe led Andrew to take his life in Afghanistan in 2006.


Does a servicemember's suicide qualify him as a combat casualty?
By Geoff Ziezulewicz
Stars and Stripes
Published: June 3, 2010

Monica Velez sees no difference in the deaths of her brothers, Jose and Andrew. They both died in an Army uniform while serving their country.

The American Legion doesn’t see it that way.

At the Lubbock Area Veterans Memorial in Texas, Army Cpl. Jose A. Velez’s name is inscribed on the black granite wall honoring local residents killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jose, 23, was killed Nov. 13, 2004, in Fallujah, Iraq.

His little brother, Spc. Andrew Velez, 22, took his own life in Afghanistan in 2006.

Despite Monica Velez’s pleas, American Legion Post 575 refuses to add Andrew’s name to the wall.



Dear Monica Velez,

Veterans across the States morn the loss of your sons.

Losing both of your sons must be an unbelievable loss. I have lost both a son to an automobile accident and a grandson to Sudden Adult Death Syndrome so I have an idea of how you are feeling. It is a gigantic hole in our hearts and our spirits.

I have friends who have lost sons both in combat and in suicide. In both cases, the families have lost a son. The hurt never goes away.

Military suicides are around twice the civilian population, and the Department of Defense is attempting to figure out why. I know that brings you no comfort. The Veterans Administration is struggling with a lack of success in suicide prevention. Many more families across the United States have or will experience the shock of suicide of a family member.

Military Families Speak Out is an organization that will help you deal with the loss of Andrew. The American Legion is a propaganda organization that glorifies war; I really could care less what they have to say.

Nothing I can say will help; you will endure this loss for the rest of your life. Please, do not follow them.

Be well for the memory of your sons,

* ******* ****
Vietnam veteran