A few weeks ago I wrote about Jonathan Schulze, a Marine who killed himself upon return from Iraq.

“On January 11, 2007, accompanied by his parents, he went to the VA hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota and told people at that VA facility that he was thinking of killing himself. They told Schulze that they could not admit him as a patient and sent him on his way.
The next day, January 12, Schulze called the VA, reiterating that he was feeling suicidal. He was told that he was number 26 on the waiting list. A man who had risked his life in Iraq and done everything that was asked of him by the United States government, was told by that same government that his sacrifice would be repaid by being 26th on a list of Veterans similarly crying out for help.”

Schulze’s brother commented on my post on BlogHer. He wrote:

Hi all. I am Jonathan’s oldest Brother, the Marine we are talking about.

Our family has 10 veterans (1 Navy, 5 Army, 3 Marines, 1 Air Force). So believe me….we have experience with the VA and Jon had strong family support.

I’ve seen posts from people asking why Jon did not go right to a civilian hospital. Well, Jon did not have private insurance and the cost to do so would have been even more of a burden to Jon whom did not need anymore issues to worry about, especially with one 6 month daughter and one on the way!

Jon has a long history with the VA. He regulary went to the VA for help, so it’s not like he just showed up and asked to be admitted. Every time he went for evaluations he usually had to wait hours just to even get the chance to see a doctor.

People ask why the family did not do more….we tried hard. At this point the only thing we could have done was lock him up in a room…he was his own man and made his own decisions…this was impossible. Although, Jon came from a strong line of military heritage it was the “So Called” professionals at the VA that should have caught/red flagged the severity of his PTSD! They had several years on record.

Jon was your poster child for PTSD and the Gov. failed him badly. He saw and was involved in some of the worst combat since Vietnam.

From a military family history and die hard patriotic family…...we have lost faith for the first time in 70 years.

I’m telling you the VA will cover their backs. I would not believe a word they say. I know first hand WHAT HAPPENED. Shame on them!

How can our government spend 600 BILLION on the war and fund so little on our military heros? I’m almost ashamed to be an American these days.

If your curious ask and I will reply where I can.”

So, if you want to pursue this story, post a comment at http://blogher.org/node/15047#comment-15352