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| In Memory of Jonathan Schulze, USMC |
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 04:46 pm: | 
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Jonathan Schulze, USMC
1981-2007
New Prague, MN
The Marines Hymn
From the Halls of Montezuma
To the shores of Tripoli
We will fight our country's battles
In the air, on land and sea.
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
United States Marine.
Our flag's unfurled to every breeze
From dawn to setting sun;
We have fought in every clime and place
Where we could take a gun.
In the snow of far-off Northern lands
And in sunny tropic scenes;
You will find us always on the job --
The United States Marines.
Here's health to you and to our Corps
Which we are proud to serve;
In many a strife we've fought for life
And never lost our nerve.
If the Army and the Navy
Ever look on Heaven's scenes,
They will find the streets are guarded
By United States Marines.
"Taps"
Day is done
Gone the sun
From the Lakes
From the hills
From the sky.
All is well,
Safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light
Dims the sight
And a star
Gems the sky,
Gleaming bright
From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.
Jan 27, 2:28 PM EST
Death of traumatized Marine came after service in Iraq
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STEWART, Minn. (AP) -- Jonathan Schulze tried to live with the nightmares and grief he brought home after serving as a U.S. Marine in Iraq, but it overwhelmed him. And he didn't get the help he needed to survive, his family claims.
Two weeks ago, Schulze told a staff member at the VA hospital in St. Cloud that he was thinking of killing himself and asked to be admitted, according to his father and stepmother, who accompanied him. They said he was told he couldn't be admitted that day. The next day, a counselor told him over the phone that he was No. 26 on the waiting list, his parents said.
Four days later, Schulze committed suicide in his New Prague home. He was 25.
"He was a delayed casualty of the Iraq war," his father, Jim Schulze, said of Jonathan.
Veterans Affairs officials, citing privacy laws, wouldn't comment on the case or confirm or deny the Schulze family's account.
However, Dr. Sherrie Herendeen, line director for mental health services at the St. Cloud hospital, said Thursday that under VA policy, a veteran talking about suicide would immediately be escorted into the hospital's locked mental health unit for treatment. She said the hospital was now reviewing its procedures.
Schulze's father and stepmother, Marianne Schulze, who live in rural Stewart, said their son would still be alive if the VA had acted on his pleas for admittance. They said they heard him tell VA staff in St. Cloud that he felt suicidal - in person on Jan. 11 at the hospital, and over the phone on Jan. 12.
On the evening of Jan. 16, Schulze called family and friends to tell them that he was preparing to kill himself. They called the New Prague police, who smashed in the door and found him hanging from an electrical cord. Police attempted to resuscitate him, but it was too late.
Schulze's family doctor, Dr. William Phillips of Stewart, said he was convinced that Schulze suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, a disabling mental condition that can result from military combat.
"Jonathan was a classic," said Phillips, who first examined Schulze in October 2004 when Schulze was home on leave from Marine duty.
Phillips said Schulze was reliving combat in his sleep, had flashbacks, couldn't eat, felt paranoid, struggled with relationships and admitted to drinking alcohol excessively. Phillips prescribed medication to calm his nerves and help him sleep.
He also asked Schulze to seek counseling at Camp Pendleton, the Marine Corps base in California where he was assigned. Phillips said he was unable to learn whether Schulze had done so.
"We don't have a system for this," Phillips said. "The VA is overwhelmed, and we're rural doctors out here trying to deal with this. Unfortunately, we're going to see a lot of Jonathans."
Maj. Cynthia Rasmussen, the combat stress officer for the 88th Regional Readiness Command at Fort Snelling, said veterans returning to Minnesota who have problems often don't seek help until their civilian lives begin to fall apart. "Soldiers think if they go to get help that they're going to be seen as weak, but they also think their command won't have faith in them," she said.
After Schulze left the Marines in late 2005, he continued to have aching memories of combat. "When he got back from Iraq he was mentally scattered," said his older brother Travis, who also served there with the Marines.
Much of Jonathan Schulze's anguish seemed to relate to combat in Ramadi in April 2004.
Schulze, who carried a machine gun, wrote his parents that 16 Marines, many of them close friends, had died in two afternoons of firefights and bombings. Twice he was wounded but didn't tell his parents, not wanting them to worry. He wrote about dismembered bodies, youth and combat and disillusionment. And about the bombs.
"I pray so much over here and ask God to keep me out of harm's way and to make it back home alive and in one piece," he wrote Jim and Marianne in May 2004. "I bet I easily pray over a dozen times a day and I always pray while I am on patrol as I am terrified of getting hit by an IED aka a bomb. Our vehicle elements and Marines on patrols are getting hit hard by these bombs the Iraqis plant all over and hide on the ground."
Schulze, who had a young daughter, Kaley Marie, carried guilt that fellow Marines died. He wanted to return to Iraq to somehow redeem himself, said his father, who did three tours of duty in Vietnam.
Because of that, Schulze at first resisted counseling, Jim Schulze said. "Being a Marine, he was too proud to get help," he said. "They want to make you impervious of any emotion. And when you get out it's almost impossible to put it back the way it was."
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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com
© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 04:59 pm: |
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Iraq Vet denied health care, commits suicide.
by kkjohnson
Sat Jan 27, 2007 at 05:58:27 AM PST
I really don't have much to add to this Star & Tribune article except that it needs wider distribution. A Minnesota Marine home from Iraq told VA mental health counselors on three separate occasions that he was thinking of killing himself. After one of these conversations he was placed on a waiting list for hospital admittance, he was No. 26. Four days after this occurred, he was gone. My greatest condolenses to the family. This should not have happened.
The new congress needs to take immediate action to insure that these vets coming home have health care. AND THIS INCLUDES MENTAL HEALTH CARE COVERAGE! My personal, unprofessional, opinion is that if this vet was sick enough to be placed on a waiting list, a bed somewhere should have been found for him.
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 05:00 pm: |
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VA actions in Marine's case to be investigated
Minneapolis Star & Trubune - Thu, 2007-02-01 06:00
A team of federal investigators will arrive today at VA medical centers in Minneapolis and St. Cloud to look into family claims that Marine veteran Jonathan J. Schulze was denied a bed for psychiatric care days before he committed suicide last month. The Office of the Medical Inspector at the Veterans Affairs central office in Washington will conduct the investigation, said Joan Vincent, public affairs officer at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud. Schulze hanged himself in New Prague, Minn., on Jan. 16. His father and stepmother, Jim and Marianne Schulze, said that days earlier, the veteran
Categories: General News
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 05:03 pm: |
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Official: VA needs to explain
The Associated Press
Published: February 01. 2007 12:30AM
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A U.S. senator from Hawaii has asked the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to explain what happened before the suicide of an Iraq war veteran who, according to his family, had sought help at two VA hospitals in Minnesota.
In his Jan. 29 letter, Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii and chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, asked for an expedited analysis of the events preceding the Marine's death, as well as a description of actions the VA is taking to prevent similar tragedies.
According to previous news reports, Jonathan Schulze, 25, of New Prague told a staff member at the VA hospital in St. Cloud two weeks ago that he was thinking of killing himself and he asked to be admitted. His father and stepmother, who accompanied him to the hospital, said he was told he couldn't be admitted that day. The next day, a counselor told him by phone that he was No. 26 on a waiting list, his parents said.
Four days later, Schulze committed suicide.
"I am concerned that reports of VA's failure to respond to Mr. Schulze's request for help may indicate systemic problems in VA's capacity to identify, monitor, and treat veterans who are suicidal," Akaka wrote in his letter to Dr. Michael J. Kussman, the acting undersecretary for health with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
A phone message left Wednesday with Schulze's father and stepmother was not immediately returned.
Joan Vincent, public affairs officer at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, said she couldn't comment on Akaka's letter, and that privacy laws prevented her from confirming whether Schulze had been at the facility.
She said internal reviews are ongoing and the VA is "very, very good about trying to learn what happened when an adverse event occurs."
"Our biggest concern is this is a really tragic incident and of course we express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of this young man," Vincent said. "We also want to encourage anyone with suicidal thoughts to seek help."
Steve Moynihan, public affairs officer for the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, also could not get into specifics.
In a media report, Schulze's father, Jim Schulze, and his stepmother, Marianne Schulze, said their son would still be alive if the VA acted on his pleas for admittance. His parents said he unsuccessfully sought help at the facility in Minneapolis before going to St. Cloud.
On Jan. 16, Schulze called family and friends to tell them he was preparing to kill himself. They called the New Prague police, who found him hanging from an electrical cord.
"For a veteran at risk of suicide, contact with VA must trigger a response that will prevent suicide and provide ongoing monitoring and care," Akaka wrote.
He said that in 2004, a series of initiatives were developed to improve VA's ability to prevent suicide, and he believes all those initiatives have not been implemented.
Separately, the Minnesota Senate on Wednesday issued a statement also asking for information on prevention efforts, and urging the VA to find out what led to the tragedy.
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 05:14 pm: |
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In case you are interested and want to voice your concerns:
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417
Phone: (612) 725-2000 or 866-414-5058
Fax: (612) 725-2049
Please contact your local congressperson and voice yourself regarding this case. Deep in my heart, I truly believe Jonathan Schulze would be alive today if medical treatment would have been administered properly. If the VA hospital could not take him in due to lack of beds/romm it should be thoroughly investigated. Jonathan should have been transfered to the nearest mental hospital ASAP. There is no room to say 'due to lack of VA funding' the VA hospital in MN had no one to treat him and put him on a waiting list and end up being a number 26. When a military member states he feels suicidal medical administrators should immediately put him/her on 'suicidal watch' and not allow them to go back home. I can't believe this has happened in the 21st century!
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Rickylee
Starlite Member
Username: Rickylee
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 08:12 pm: |
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This is really tragic, Capri. It's inexcusable to not help a Marine veteran who went through literal hell in Iraq...waiting lists are for non life threatening medical conditions. I hope the VA listens and never again turns away a desperate cry for help.
*sigh*
Take care,
Ricky |
Jonassalk6
Starlite Member
Username: Jonassalk6
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 08:59 pm: |
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To those of you who post in here, and those who read it.
This story is sad, yes. However, I feel that your blame, and your scrutiny is a little far fetched. There are faults in this case that need to be investigated, true.
There is no point in trying to find blame in his death. He did his country proud, but in the end, took his own life. The VA did not. If the parents were concerned, and knew he was suicidal, they shouldn't have left him alone.
Let the man rest. |
Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 09:52 pm: |
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Well said Jonassalk6. As a parent I would never have left the hospital until my son would have been attended to. Plus, I would have NEVER left his side knowing he was suicidal.
I'm sure congress will be forced to cook something up in order to pacify people like me who are appalled by this tragedy.
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Morning_song
Starlite Member
Username: Morning_song
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 10:55 pm: |
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I too, share your dismay, Capri. To me, this is just another example of this countries total lack of consideration and disregard for mental illness. And of course, it all boils down to lack of alloted funds, as usual. I see the mentally ill on the streets all the time. (yes, they are homeless) because we have shut down the facilities that took care of them in the past. I have read where parents have begged for help for their grown schizophrenic children before they hurt themselves, or others. And have been turned away. But it's even harder to believe that our own military has done the same thing when it is a battle induced condition. It's terribly sad.
But I better shut up and get down off my soap box before Bubs comes in here and starts calling me a "liddle liberal" again. ROFL.
Hugs.....
Jeri |
Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 11:16 pm: |
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Hi Jeri, thank you for your imput. Everything you've said is true. This is why, we, as Americans should take a stand and let our voices be heard. Far too many have gone unseen since WWI. A tremendous amount of soldiers from Vietnam suffered a great deal on their own. No matter what war is fought there will be soldier like Jonathan Schulze. Members of The Armed Forces need our help to rant and rave until Congress does something to honor them in their time of need. Do you not agree?
I can't put myself in Jonathan's father's shoes thinking that I didn't do everything to be at his side 24/7 being Jonathan warned he had suicidal feelings. If I was his parent, I would have checked his room for anything that could harm him and take away all the guns and knives and ropes or anything he could hang himself with from his room and inside the house. I'd do everything in my power to seek further information about other nearby mental hospitals that could receive Jonathan and admit him for medical attention.
Jeri, enjoy being on your soap box. Bubby is such a sweetie tweetie. He won't call ya any names. He's a good guy. lol.
Love,
Capri 
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 11:35 pm: |
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I’m sorry to have to say this, Jonassalk6, but your post really offends me. You start out by saying there is no point in trying to find blame and then you lay that blame on Mr. Schulze and his family who are victims in this tragedy.
Jonathan Schulze took his own life because he suffered from PTSD. Indeed he served his country well, but in return his country failed to provide him the mental health care that could have saved his life and his family the grief and guilt they’ll live with for the rest of their days.
I think Capri has done us all a valuable service by giving this important issue the attention it deserves. Posting about this terrible tragedy might just help save a life. She’s brought up two really excellent points and I applaud her for doing so.
1) If you have a family member who's having suicidal thoughts, take them seriously and beat down every door until they get the help they need. If your family member has no insurance or if they’re denied admittance to a particular hospital and don’t know where to turn to, call your local Suicide Prevention Hotline and ask for help.
2.) The VA and Congress must both do more. We as citizens must insist they do whatever it takes to see that the VA has the funding so every Vet receives the treatment he or she needs and receives it in a timely manner. Jonathan Schulze was told he’d have to wait three months for treatment. Jonathan was in such pain he couldn’t wait three months. Being turned away might well have been the final straw. A patient who's reached that final turning point will find a way no matter how closely the family tries to watch him.
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Jonassalk6
Starlite Member
Username: Jonassalk6
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 10:43 am: |
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Jennifer, as an American, you have the right to be offended. My post was not to debate or rebutt anything posted by capri. It was in fact to let the young Marine rest in peace. I did direct items towards his family because as you noted in your first note you "take them seriously and beat down every door until they get the help they need." Did his family do that? Or did they accept the "waiting list" from the VA and leave their son in a nightmarish daze for a period of four days, knowing he was suicidal. The #1 no-no for any suicidal person is to leave them alone. Did the VA say they could help him right away? No. But in the news article, how many other "doors did they beat down" as you call it? Sounds to me, like they only shut the door, leaving their son alone.
As for #2, the Gentleman from Hawaii is addressing the issue of what more the VA can do. Yet, 8 times out of ten when an issue comes up regarding the US Military, everyone wants to cut funding. Where were you when they did that? Were you crying from the walls of your home because taxpayers wanted to save a dime? "Being turned away might well have been the final straw," you said. Who turned him away at the last moment? The people who left him alone.
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Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 11:20 am: |
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Oh please, blaming the family when you have no idea what the actual circumstances were is callous beyond belief.
The only things we know for a fact are that Jonathon wasn't admitted to the VA hospital and that the hospital had a three month waiting list.
For those who actually care about the issue, just want to say that frequently when a patient has made the final decision, to take his or her life, they feel almost a sense of relief and that relief can look to friends and family like the patient is doing better. So don't be fooled, if the patient hasn't received treatment, keep banging on those doors.
Part of the reason for this discussion is to inform people, to let them know what steps they can take and need to take in a situation like this, not to blame them for being unable to navigate the system on their own or for not knowing how to deal with a seriously depressed family member.
I don't know a single soul who wants to cut funding for the military or for VA services. Yes, many want to stop funding the war and bring the troops home, and I happen to agree. But that has nothing whatsoever to do with funding the VA, so please don't try to muddy the issue.
(Message edited by jennifer03801 on February 05, 2007)
3099
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Jonassalk6
Starlite Member
Username: Jonassalk6
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 01:52 pm: |
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LOL.
Ok. Ok. stop the posting war. Geez.
One. I didn't blame the parents. I was merely pointing out that no one is to blame for the suicide. There are things that need to be looked at in the process that may have led to his decision, but no one is at fault.
two. anytime federal funding for the military is cut, it is cutting everything from medical services to body armor.
three. the military provides information to all it's members about depression and suicide. #1 of those is do not let the person be alone. So to any reader, take note. Someone even peeps suicide, stay with them. |
Jennifer03801
Starlite Member
Username: Jennifer03801
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 04:07 pm: |
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A young man is dead, you most certainly did blame the family and made those of us who’ve lost a loved one to suicide relive the guilt and doubt and now you’re laughing? I’d say the thing you’ve really pointed out is how thoughtless and insensitive people can be and in that you’ve set a new low record yourself.
3099
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Jonassalk6
Starlite Member
Username: Jonassalk6
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 04:55 pm: |
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No. What I've done is point out my original point. Let the Marine rest in peace. If you, by reading this are 're-living' tragedy, imagine his parents. All along I've said it's not about blame. Just let the boy rest. |
Tess
Starlite Administrator
Username: Tess
| | Posted on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 07:47 pm: |
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Dear Capri,
I can tell the story of this young man has really touched you. Bless you for your concern about him, and others who may being going through something similiar.
Jonas Salk, and all who post here, please remember that the political discussion board of this site is to be used ONLY by active poets at the Starlite Cafe. I can't find any poetry by Jonas Salk. In fact, the last thing I can find contributed to Jonas Salk was a most wonderful polio vaccine.
The boy will rest knowing that people truly cared about his fate and want to try to stop it from happening to another.
Tess |
Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 12:51 pm: |
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Dear Tess,
Thank you for your kind words. I accept them most graciously.
Dear Jonassalk6,
Please submit your poetry onto your pen name.
I'm sure you write beautiful poetry about Tucson, AZ. The sunsets there are gorgeous I hear.
Dear Jen,
Thank you for the praise you've given me.
It totally surprised me while reading your comment.
I was out of town yesterday and just got back.
I am going to post a list of all U.S. Congresspersons for all to write to their local authority in reference to this thread.
C'mon, Jonas, post a beautiful poem for Lady Tess.
Love,
Capri xo
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Bubby
Starlite Member
Username: Bubby
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 04:13 pm: |
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Our Veterans need all the help we can possibly afford.Always have and always will...God Bless our troops....keep them safe,and bring them home.
Capri,this is the first time I have seen this thread...you have done an excellent tribute my friend...Bub |
Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 05:15 pm: |
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Thank you, Sir Bubby.
I appreciate your input.
Yes, God bless our troops & keep them safe & bring them home!
As as today, in a four month period (from Oct.-February) 360 U. S. troops haved died in Iraq. This is the highest number since the war began.
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 05:54 pm: |
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Feb 5, 1:25 PM EST
VA records disputed in vet's suicide
U.S. Video
Buy AP Photo Reprints
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The family of an Iraq war veteran who killed himself is disputing Veterans Affairs records that indicate he failed to tell hospital officials he was thinking of suicide.
Jonathan Schulze's father and stepmother, Jim and Marianne Schulze, said they heard their 25-year-old son tell staff members at a VA hospital that he was suicidal. He killed himself Jan. 16.
"The most disturbing part for me is their denial of Jon's suicidal condition," said Jim Schulze, who has read nearly 400 pages of records, mostly from counseling his son received at the Minneapolis Veterans Medical Center in St. Cloud after he returned from Iraq in 2004.
Veterans Affairs officials in Minnesota wouldn't comment on the records or on any dealings with Jonathan Schulze, said Joan Vincent, the VA's public affairs officer in St. Cloud.
"We need to maintain the privacy of this veteran," she said Friday.
The case is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Matt Burns, an agency spokesman in Washington, said the findings will be shared with Congress. The probe was requested by Sen. Daniel Akaka, a Hawaii Democrat and chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee.
The records obtained by the Schulzes include two conversations Jonathan Schulze had with staff at the St. Cloud hospital. A Jan. 11 document shows Schulze came to St. Cloud to ask for screening for chemical dependency treatment and was referred to a clinical social worker.
The Schulzes said the records don't mention that Jonathan Schulze told a staff member he was suicidal and asked to be admitted even though a document from Jan. 12 indicated Jonathan spoke with a counselor over the phone and was asked about suicide.
Under the category, "Having/had suicidal ideation/attempts," the counselor wrote: "no/no." Ideation is a clinical term referring to thoughts or inclinations.
Marianne Schulze said she heard Jonathan tell the counselor he felt suicidal. She said Jonathan hung up the phone and told her that he was No. 26 on a waiting list.
However, officials at both Minnesota hospitals said their acute psychiatric care units do not have waiting lists. In addition, VA policy says local police would be contacted to check on any veteran who talks about suicide.
A separate mental-health unit with beds at the St. Cloud veterans hospital had a waiting list of 21 veterans on Jan. 29, the Vincents said. That unit, known as residential treatment, is more for ongoing cases, not for acute care.
The records from St. Cloud show that Schulze told the counselor questioning him over the phone that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
"My life has been falling apart since I returned from Iraq," Schulze said in the record.
Jonathan Schulze told counselors he heard "intrusive military-related sounds" and had flashbacks of combat images.
Jim Schulze, who served in Vietnam, said he wanted to help other veterans and shared the records with the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.
"The physical wounds will heal the best they can," he said. "The psychological wounds never will."
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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Caprichos
Starlite Member
Username: Caprichos
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 06:11 pm: |
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http://www.house.gov/writerep/
Inserted is a link to write to you local Congressperson.
Thank you,
Love,
Capri
"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite." -Sir William Blake
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