On my second trip to Iraq in 2010, I traveled out to a distant FOB (Forward Operating Base) to perform for the troops stationed there. Upon arrival, I was notified by the commanding officer that morale was extremely low there and that a young soldier had committed suicide the day before our arrival. This story rattled me and my crew and provoked me to research the statistics and causes more extensively. What I found was completely astonishing. Since that moment of enlightment, I have worked to help raise awareness of this enormous "hush-hush" problem of soldier suicides. So many soldiers do not seek help because of legitimate concerns that they will have a black mark on their military file which can significantly affect career growth as a soldier with a "mental disorder". I don't care about anything but helping these soldiers get back to a good place. That requires backbone. You can't pussy-foot around this topic.  I will continue to pray for all of those that brought the war home with them and who continue to fight for their lives daily.

God Bless America and those who fight and die to keep it free.  Thanks for your help and support!

Your friend,

Phil Vandel