An army vet wounded in Iraq told members of the York County Suicide Prevention Coalition that members of the armed services proudly serve their nation in conflicts abroad, only then have to come to another war.
Anger, isolation, depression, drug and alcohol abuse. These are what Bill Kohler of York experienced when he returned from Iraq as an injured Army medic. He had fallen victim to an improvised explosive device (IED).
As a result, Bill Kohler stands a little hunched over with a cane for support. He just received aids to help his hearing.
He says he has been through a lot in life, but never thought he wouldn't be able to handle it.
When he returned to the states, he bought a home, but lived with no heat and no water. His only companions were his dog and a bottle of Captain Jack. He walked a great deal, because driving was to stressful.
"You can ride down the road and the tires that came off the truck you can see one of them and it doesn't affect you or cause any stress,” explained Kohler. “But when I see it I think of a bomb. They used to line the inside with mortar rounds.”
But when his girlfriend told him he was going to be a father, he sobered up, started raising his son, returned to college and talked to people about his problems.
"This is our country. They gave their lives so you can live,” Kohler added. “I always say don't waste it. I tell my son don't waste your life because these guys gave theirs for you. I'm there all the time. You can call me at 3 o'clock in the morning, and I'll answer the phone."
Kohler says when he reached out for help, his pleas fell on deaf ears. But he persevered and he's available to help anyone.
Now, he can laugh again but he couldn't in 2006.
Anger, isolation, depression, drug and alcohol abuse. These are what Bill Kohler of York experienced when he returned from Iraq as an injured Army medic. He had fallen victim to an improvised explosive device (IED).
As a result, Bill Kohler stands a little hunched over with a cane for support. He just received aids to help his hearing.
He says he has been through a lot in life, but never thought he wouldn't be able to handle it.
When he returned to the states, he bought a home, but lived with no heat and no water. His only companions were his dog and a bottle of Captain Jack. He walked a great deal, because driving was to stressful.
"You can ride down the road and the tires that came off the truck you can see one of them and it doesn't affect you or cause any stress,” explained Kohler. “But when I see it I think of a bomb. They used to line the inside with mortar rounds.”
But when his girlfriend told him he was going to be a father, he sobered up, started raising his son, returned to college and talked to people about his problems.
"This is our country. They gave their lives so you can live,” Kohler added. “I always say don't waste it. I tell my son don't waste your life because these guys gave theirs for you. I'm there all the time. You can call me at 3 o'clock in the morning, and I'll answer the phone."
Kohler says when he reached out for help, his pleas fell on deaf ears. But he persevered and he's available to help anyone.
Now, he can laugh again but he couldn't in 2006.