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Army: Second son's death was suicide
CNN ^ | August 3, 2006

Posted on 08/03/2006 9:45:12 PM PDT by TomGuy

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) -- One of two brothers who died while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide, family and military officials said Thursday.

Army Spc. Andrew Velez, 22, died last month in Afghanistan, a little more than a year after his older brother, Cpl. Jose "Freddy" Velez, 23, was killed in Iraq. They are the first brothers to die in the two conflicts, the military said.

(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; US: Texas; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: velez
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To: dandelion

Beautiful


41 posted on 08/04/2006 7:20:57 AM PDT by mpackard (Proud mama of a Sailor.)
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To: CedarDave

Thanks for your reply. I knew something was wrong when the news of the "investigation" came out last week and then they were having a hard time pinning down a funeral date or time because of a hold-up.

It makes me so sad that Roy Velez can't say proudly "both sons lost in combat," without there being an (*) asterisk by Andrew's name. I know that wouldn't make up for losing both sons, but it would be a tiny smidgen of comfort.

OTOH, I'd bet that (*) asterisk is only in the public mind, not in his. It's terrible that a young man who was so courageous about going back for 6 years when he could've taken the easy way out, so valiant in the face of possible death when he told his dad he wasn't afraid, and so principled about defending his country, could be in so much pain and cut down by "marital conflicts."

That tells me he was a sensitive soul who took his family responsibilities seriously and saw no way out from whatever the conflict was between his circumstances and reality. I hope it wasn't the ubiquitous money problem that so many soldiers are having.

I'm sorry he gave up "5 minutes before the miracle" -- perhaps his mistake being publicized will save just one other soul from doing the same.

I look forward to seeing how the newspaper handles this, if you do get a chance to find the articles and post them. Thank you again for your own service, for honoring the Velez family and for sharing it all with us FReepers.


42 posted on 08/04/2006 7:47:42 AM PDT by Rte66
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To: Rte66
Thank you for your kind words and perspective. I've posted the stories. Do a keyword search for Velez
43 posted on 08/04/2006 8:33:42 AM PDT by CedarDave (French report: Landis fails drug test. But, outside of France, men naturally produce testosterone)
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To: TexanByBirth

I've posted the story of why the news of the circumstances of his death came out as they did. I believe the local paper struck the proper balance and they did wait until after the memorial service.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1677740/posts


44 posted on 08/04/2006 8:37:47 AM PDT by CedarDave (French report: Landis fails drug test. But, outside of France, men naturally produce testosterone)
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To: TexanByBirth
As CedarDave mentioned above:

However, this morning's newspaper has a column from the newspaper editor. They knew about the circumstances of the death, were told by the father last weekend, and at the request of the family withheld the news until Thursday evening after the service.

The timing of the news release was the family's request, not that of the "scum" AP or CNN. There's a lot to be mad at the press for, but your anger on this issue seems misplaced.

45 posted on 08/04/2006 9:19:32 AM PDT by worst-case scenario (Striving to reach the light)
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To: Suzy Quzy

I believe that God is sovereign over life and death, that no birth and no death happens apart from His will. That means I believe that He allowed all 3000+ people to die on 9-11, including those on the planes. He knows death is only part of a continuum for He invented time and is beyond time.

Whatever one thinks of suicide, it is presumptuous to think that God does not foreknow and yet still allows them to take place, for believers and non-believers alike. So, whatever state of mind this young man was in that led to this act, had God wanted to prevent it, He could have intervened yet chose not to.

Sometimes in the demonstration of mercy and faith by others in response to such a tragic event, the end result works to His glory. And there is a young man now at peace who may have been unable to stomach war any further to the point that he took the only way out he thought was available to him.

It is, indeed, sad for his family and friends but it is not unique. War takes a terrible human toll and many become desperate to escape it by any means possible.


46 posted on 08/04/2006 11:01:15 AM PDT by Tall_Texan (I wish a political party would come along that thinks like I do.)
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To: Tall_Texan

It's called Free Will...God doesn't intercede unless we ask him to.


47 posted on 08/04/2006 11:06:20 AM PDT by Suzy Quzy ("When Cabals Go Kaboom"....upcoming book on Mary McCarthy's Coup-Plotters.)
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To: Suzy Quzy

So no baby is born unless they first ask God?


48 posted on 08/04/2006 12:14:28 PM PDT by Tall_Texan (I wish a political party would come along that thinks like I do.)
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To: newfarm4000n; Suzy Quzy; bybybill
Maybe just maybe their "loved ones" were blind to their needs and what they were going through.

Agreed. Is it not selfish in itself to expect a person to endure pain that is so crushingly deep that suicide is the best option in their own eyes? Who are we to force them to liveor to judge them in their pain?

49 posted on 08/04/2006 5:53:21 PM PDT by Gondring (If "Conservatives" now want to "conserve" our Constitution away, then I must be a Preservative!)
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To: TomGuy

I'm sorry that this suicide became public information. How sad for the family to find out. It's all too much for one family to handle.


50 posted on 08/04/2006 6:01:41 PM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: Dr. Scarpetta
Please look at #44
51 posted on 08/04/2006 6:27:59 PM PDT by CedarDave
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To: Gondring
Oh, boo hoo, the poor little darlings! Who hasn`t had to get through some tough times? Nobody is forcing anybody to do anything, but it sure would be nice if folks would take responsibility or their actions and the pain they leave behind
52 posted on 08/04/2006 7:47:22 PM PDT by bybybill (`IF TH E RATS WIN, WE LOSE)
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To: CedarDave
Roy Velez said his grief keeps him up at night.

The pain of this situation is unimaginable.

53 posted on 08/05/2006 12:54:29 AM PDT by Dr. Scarpetta
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To: bybybill; Suzy Quzy; jps098
Nobody is forcing anybody to do anything, but it sure would be nice if folks would take responsibility or their actions and the pain they leave behind

Waah! You poor lil thing...why not go to DU where the purpose in life is to serve the communal hive.

If people left behind are feeling so much pain, why is that pain any more important than the pain the individual himself was feeling? Instead of blaming the person for living his own life--or not--why not tell the others to "just suck it up"?

When my Vicki chose to end her life, of course I went through grief stages, and of course I still miss her, but at least I don't carry around your sort of resentment. She had a choice and made her preferrred choice, and I am glad for her that she got what she wanted (after intervention blocked her first attempt). Should I be selfish and want her to live in an earthly hell just to avoid pain for me?

So are you consistent in the insistence that people live their lives to avoid others' pain...I mean, do you think a person can never break off a relationship because it would cause their partner pain? How many weddings break the heart of failed suitors? Wouldn't it be nice if folks took responsibility and never broke up? </sarc>

54 posted on 08/05/2006 8:03:15 AM PDT by Gondring (If "Conservatives" now want to "conserve" our Constitution away, then I must be a Preservative!)
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To: Gondring

So sorry for your loss.


55 posted on 08/05/2006 8:09:16 AM PDT by Suzy Quzy ("When Cabals Go Kaboom"....upcoming book on Mary McCarthy's Coup-Plotters.)
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To: srmorton
I'm no expert on this subject, but I think the idea that suicide is a sin that can not be forgiven comes mainly from Catholic doctrine and not from the Bible.

That's correct. In fact, early Christians committed suicide as a way of demonstrating their preference of being with their Lord rather than clinging to the mere earthly existence. I understand that inscriptions are still visible to this day at some cliffs where they jumped.

Remember Samson...he pulled a 9/11 long ago (brought down a building in a suicide attack to kill 3,000 enemies). And how about the early saints who had died by suicide (e.g., ?

It wasn't until several centuries after Christ's life that suicide was banned. What's interesting is that some early saints died by suicide (e.g., Pelagia of Antioch, died c. 311). In the fifth century, Augustine of Hippo (St. Augustine) had ecclesiastical enemies who advocated suicide, and wrote extensively against it and in favor of their suppression. I believe that it wasn't until the Council of Braga (c. 562) that suicides were not to be "buried with great ceremony in consecrated ground." (This was the same Council that said priests who had taken an oath of vegetarianism had to either eat vegetables cooked in meat broth or be excommunicated, and that .)

Some FReepers have said that their inspiration of their views comes from Augustine, but I find it odd that FReepers would revere the views of someone who claimed private property was a sin and one of the reasons for the downfall of Rome (though he liked the money the rich gave, and he advocated that they give their property to the Church and not to the poor!), and who pushed for getting his political opposition banned/executed (in AD 405, he got Donatism banned by the emperor, with a death sentence for meeting...Donatists were not allowed to hold public office, protect their property in the courts, nor will property to their heirs.)

I fear that many people don't realize these things. I'm not saying anything for or against Catholicism, Christianity, etc. I'm merely pointing out the history, that it's non-Biblical and even not in line with early Church tradition. I'm not an expert in them myself, and continue to try to learn more about these things.

56 posted on 08/05/2006 9:05:16 AM PDT by Gondring (If "Conservatives" now want to "conserve" our Constitution away, then I must be a Preservative!)
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To: Suzy Quzy

Thank you. The ideal would have been if she'd preferred life over the option of death, but since she couldn't manage to make that happen, I am glad she got where she wanted to go.

My hope is that society will eventually see that it's more beneficial to accept this fact of life and allow suicidal people to go in less secrecy, perhaps gathering with loved ones and exiting in a peaceful way. None of the suicides I have known have been able to do that, except for a lovers' pact.


57 posted on 08/05/2006 9:09:22 AM PDT by Gondring (If "Conservatives" now want to "conserve" our Constitution away, then I must be a Preservative!)
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To: sweetliberty
He is also quite adamant that, not only will he not have to go to Iraq, but also, that they will allow him to stay right where he signs up until he does retire.

LOL! Your client is a fool! I would suggest he reads his contract.

58 posted on 08/05/2006 9:25:07 AM PDT by dpa5923 (Small minds talk about people, normal minds talk about events, great minds talk about ideas.)
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To: Gondring
My God, how many suicides have you known of??? I'm a Catholic and suicide is a MORTAL sin...only God can call you home on his terms.

I feel very VERY bad for people who cannot go to Jesus for help in time of immense need and immense gratitude. I take it your loved one was not religious.....we Catholics believe that Offering up your suffering to Jesus allows one to embrace the suffering, knowing that when you die you will be in heaven with no more pain.

Please, please, in the future when you see someone in pain and distress to get on their hands and knees and ask God for help with it.

59 posted on 08/05/2006 10:17:16 AM PDT by Suzy Quzy ("When Cabals Go Kaboom"....upcoming book on Mary McCarthy's Coup-Plotters.)
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To: dpa5923
"Your client is a fool! I would suggest he reads his contract."

Well, that was my thought, but this isn't the kind of guy you can tell anything, because he already knows it all. Army will probably be good for him.

60 posted on 08/05/2006 10:29:53 AM PDT by sweetliberty (Stupidity should make you sterile!)
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