03.18.81 - 06.22.04

Jeffrey enlisted during 12/99- his first year in college and during a time of
relative peace - in the USMC reserves. He and his friend, Paul, were taken to
a hotel room overnight and by morning, they had enlisted. He actually
entered boot camp in May, 2000 and graduated Parris Island in August,
2000. In September, 2000, he went to Camp Lejeune and was trained as an
administrative assistant but, when subsequently assigned to New Haven,
Ct. base, he was assigned as a convoy driver.

On September 11, 2001, Jeffrey stated that he knew that something was
going to be happening with them as a result of the day's events. He wanted
to be activated for the rescue and recovery efforts in NYC or to go to
Afghanistan. He never could understand Iraq.

During mid-January, 2003, Jeffrey's unit ( 6th Motor T Battalion ) was
activated and then departed to Kuwait. He remained in Kuwait and
celebrated his 22nd birthday on March 18th. The war started the next day (
reflected in his journal ). He wrote letters during his stay there in Iraq which
alluded to various events and situations which caused concern.

Jeffrey returned during mid-July, 2003. He appeared totally well, happy and
totally unscathed ... it was only later that we would discover his hidden
wounds.

Upon his return, Jeffrey appeared to be doing relatively well with the
exception of daily vomiting in the morning and his stated desire not to walk
the beach because he " saw enough sand to last a lifetime ". Little did we
know how prophetic that statement was going to become.

The first real note of a problem occurred on December 24, 2003, when Jeff
threw dog tags at his younger sister pronouncing how he was nothing more
than a murderer. Yet the very next day, Jeff appeared to be fine.

The next situation occurred in mid March, 2004. Jeffrey became overtly
depressed, more isolated, drinking more and began to talk about his stories
about Iraq. Anger, desperation became very evident. All became a massive
swirl of so many negative feelings - raging and furious ... yet so worried
about how he was impacting and failing us. What a vicious cycle!

We struggled with Jeff but nowhere was our struggle comparable with that of
Jeff's.

Due to Jeffrey's fear of the stigma and of his unit finding out, he refused to go
to the VA. Due to our ignorance, we believed the VA to be our only resort for
they were to be the best and brightest in re; caring for PTSD.

Finally we were able to overcome Jeff's fears and we brought him to the VA.
In summary, the VA failed him as well as failing us. Despite the records
reflecting concerns, the VA released him after four days of suspect
assessment / evaluation.

Two days later, Jeffrey totaled the family car; two days later, Jeffrey appeared
at his sister's graduation totally impaired, angry and depressed which
worsened as the day went on. The family contacted the VA and brought him
there yet no help was given. The family contacted the emergency systems
which the Commonwealth provides yet they refused to even come out..... due
to the fact that had had been drinking. They expressed their sympathies.

During the next 17 days, all struggled ... especially Jeffrey ... only to lose. On
June 21st, he was so angry and desperate but then calmed. We spoke for
hours and then he asked for the second time in the past two weeks whether
he could sit in my lap - which he did. Then, on June 22, 2004, Jeffrey took the
only avenue to escape the pain, horrors and the torment which existed for
him ... and that was at his own hand. He hanged himself in our cellar -
leaving many notes and letters - one stating that it is now 4:35 pm and I am
now near completing my death.
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Lcpl Jeffrey Lucey