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Opinion

Continued support imperative

Melissa Correa
Opinion columnist 

U.S. officials reported the highest suicide rate amongst Army soldiers since 1999. When I read the Reuters' article, I realized timing is everything.

With a fiery battle over Operation Iraqi Freedom and many fingers pointing at our pal Donald Rumsfeld, I can't help but believe this report was issued at the right time for the wrong reason.

According to official reports, in 2005, the suicide rate was 12.9 people for every 100,000, which is up from 2004 when the rate was 11 people for every 100,000. Still, the U.S. Armed Forces suicide rate is less than the U.S. civilian tally -- which the article failed to mention.

I believe if this report does catch on with the media, politicians and the like will solely focus on the fact that suicide has increased -- which will lead them to believe we need to pull our troops out now.

I believe what we are doing in Iraq is for the betterment of the Middle East and for the United States. I have talked with many troops who have either been deployed or have stayed here, and they all agree that U.S. troops are needed overseas; they often get upset when anyone thinks otherwise.

I believe the underlying reason for releasing this article was to add more wood to the fire. 

Col. Joseph Curtin doesn't believe combat stress is to blame. He says other factors like financial reasons, failed relationships, drugs and alcohol are all important factors that could lead a soldier to stress.

Marines, in my opinion, take on the bulk of the war. Yet, in 2005, the suicide rate for Marines and sailors dropped.

This leads me to argue this report did come at the right time. With those interested in the war keeping their eye on Rumsfeld and the Bush administration, this report is a friendly reminder we can't forget our troops.

Just the other day, I received an e-mail from one of my college buddies. He is doing great in Iraq; he even boasted how he has an air conditioner in his bunker. My friend has a great attitude -- he is there to serve America. His e-mails are always upbeat, but that is just the type of guy he is. 

All my friend wants is people to write him back. He will be in the war zone for a while, and the least I can do is write him a letter letting him know how things are over here. Letters make all the difference in the world.

Even with all the counselors now working overseas to decrease the heightened suicide rate, I strongly believe that communication with civilians will do a soldier's heart good. It's my opinion that if I were in the Army, a letter from someone whom I am trying to protect is much better than a 30-minute counseling session. Maybe all these troops need are words from Americans letting them know we are thinking about them and desperately want them to return -- maybe those words will keep a soldier from taking his life.

I urge students, faculty, staff and student organizations to send letters or care packages to our troops. It doesn't matter if you are a Democrat, Republican or are a member of the Green Party. If there is one thing I learned from my "infamous immigration article," it's that UH's student body is full of compassion. So many of The Daily Cougar's readers took a stand when it came to the undocumented. 

I don't believe you can have a double standard when showing compassion, so give some to the soldier who is fighting for his life and your life overseas. It doesn't take long -- and at the very most, you'll be out of 39 cents. 

Instead of writing me an e-mail or a letter to the editor, sit down and tell a soldier what it's like in America. Tell them about your day -- tell them about your crazy professor and your final exams. Tell them you hope they return soon -- you don't have to talk about war; you don't have to lie and say you are in support of what's happening. Just let the soldier know you are thinking about them, and pray for his safe return. 

If more Americans begin to support human life and our troops, next year, the U.S. Armed Forces could report a decline in suicide.

One of my cousins killed himself a few years back. My aunt never told us why he did it, but I have a feeling it was because, at that time in his life, he felt alone, confused and with no alternative solutions. If we as Americans have the chance to let soldiers know that we care, that could make the difference between feeling alone and supported, confused or reassured.

Contact the local recruiting office, take a break from studying and write a little note. Instead of scrolling through MySpace or Facebook, scroll through an armed forces Web site -- find the contact number, and ask for an address. If you just can't find time to Google the info, then write me and I will help you -- support our troops.

Correa, an opinion columnist for The Daily Cougar, 
can be reached at mel_correa@yahoo.com.