Prayers requested

[rhavill]

Gator family,

I’m in a state of both hurt and anger tonight, as I’ve just received the news of a close personal special operations brother that has taken his life. He falls in the category of 22 a day. I know his wife and 3 kids very well, and I’m truly hurting for them.

I’m not sure if I’m just here to vent or to know if my hurt and anger is well placed. He and I have shared many experiences- same ops- and he was the epitome of a teammate. He was always willing to put his country and brothers above his personal well being.

Where are we going wrong to not see this coming? Are our funds going elsewhere (illegals) that could be added to our warriors? Not trying to make this political but I’m seriously tired of my brothers exiting this life outside of battle. This is my 4th friend to have taken his own life.

I simply ask you my 🐊 family for a prayer. For those who have given all for us and this great country. I know we are caught up in our 🐊 football - please never forget there is a reason we can do this. Men who are willing to do bad and terrible things necessary for freedom.

I may not be active duty any longer, but the last few years I’ve sacrificed footbal for USG support to Ukraine and then Israel. Now you know why our lack of effort on the football field pisses me off, when others know the definition of maximum effort and devotion.

God bless you my brothers and sisters. Take this time to find solice in our family on here. I truly look forward to meeting each of you in person in the years to come.

Mike

🙏

 

[BradDad57]

Gator family,

I’m in a state of both hurt and anger tonight, as I’ve just received the news of a close personal special operations brother that has taken his life. He falls in the category of 22 a day. I know his wife and 3 kids very well, and I’m truly hurting for them.

I’m not sure if I’m just here to vent or to know if my hurt and anger is well placed. He and I have shared many experiences- same ops- and he was the epitome of a teammate. He was always willing to put his country and brothers above his personal well being.

Where are we going wrong to not see this coming? Are our funds going elsewhere (illegals) that could be added to our warriors? Not trying to make this political but I’m seriously tired of my brothers exiting this life outside of battle. This is my 4th friend to have taken his own life.

I simply ask you my 🐊 family for a prayer. For those who have given all for us and this great country. I know we are caught up in our 🐊 football - please never forget there is a reason we can do this. Men who are willing to do bad and terrible things necessary for freedom.

I may not be active duty any longer, but the last few years I’ve sacrificed footbal for USG support to Ukraine and then Israel. Now you know why our lack of effort on the football field pisses me off, when others know the definition of maximum effort and devotion.

God bless you my brothers and sisters. Take this time to find solice in our family on here. I truly look forward to meeting each of you in person in the years to come.

Mike

Mike,

Not a thing wrong with you sharing what's going on here, thank you for thinking us worthy of hearing what's going on with you. One thing we all want, we all need, is to know people care when we're hurting.

My son did one tour in Afghanistan with the Marines. He's not told us about it, not really. The most I know is, (a) shortly after he got there, they were sent out on a patrol. At the last minute, the commanders rearranged the assignments. My son would've been with the group at the point, he got moved back to overwatch. The guys at the point got clobbered - at least one dead, others messed up for life. Another time, with full pack, he wound up in a river fighting to keep from drowning. I know there's more because I have a wonderful grand dog (Raven) who he adopted after he got back.

I'm in awe of what you guys do for our country and for each other. We could thank you every day for the rest of our lives and the debt won't be repaid. Few of us are capable of it. God Bless you all.

 

[filter]

I am so very sorry for your loss. Much love to his family and to you and his other brothers and sisters. 🙏

It happens far too often in the Army. Young kids far from home many for the first time and in a strange and hostle place.

 

[SGUN]

Gator family,

I’m in a state of both hurt and anger tonight, as I’ve just received the news of a close personal special operations brother that has taken his life. He falls in the category of 22 a day. I know his wife and 3 kids very well, and I’m truly hurting for them.

I’m not sure if I’m just here to vent or to know if my hurt and anger is well placed. He and I have shared many experiences- same ops- and he was the epitome of a teammate. He was always willing to put his country and brothers above his personal well being.

Where are we going wrong to not see this coming? Are our funds going elsewhere (illegals) that could be added to our warriors? Not trying to make this political but I’m seriously tired of my brothers exiting this life outside of battle. This is my 4th friend to have taken his own life.

I simply ask you my 🐊 family for a prayer. For those who have given all for us and this great country. I know we are caught up in our 🐊 football - please never forget there is a reason we can do this. Men who are willing to do bad and terrible things necessary for freedom.

I may not be active duty any longer, but the last few years I’ve sacrificed footbal for USG support to Ukraine and then Israel. Now you know why our lack of effort on the football field pisses me off, when others know the definition of maximum effort and devotion.

God bless you my brothers and sisters. Take this time to find solice in our family on here. I truly look forward to meeting each of you in person in the years to come.

Mike

I’m so sorry, Bro. Thoughts and prayers to the family, close friends, and Brothers in Arms.

 

[MikeSizemore]

Say the word and I’m there, brother. Former AFSOC operator here. Spent my last few years attached to ODA’s and Delta doing SOJTF work. The amount of black lines coming across my feed daily hurts my f***ing heart. Prayers up

Brother, it tears me up. The guy lived through some hellacious firefights. It was like he was immune to bullets. After his last TBI he was never the same but still seemed ok.

Mike, your words tear at my heart. I didn’t serve but grew up outside Eglin AFB surrounded by neighbors whose men were pilots. One was lost in Viet Nam, a nextdoor neighbor. Another who was beloved in our Fort Walton Beach was killed there. I vividly remember each if them. I’ve had two brothers-in-law in the Navy and a son-in-law CPO wrapping up a 24-yr career next spring. One brother-in-law had PTSB from Nam that led to hospitalization at Bethesda, medical discharge and decades of depression and dissolution until he died isolated by alcohol and drugs.

The treatment of males and the attitude that God-created masculinity is toxic courses through our culture. We crush the spirits if young boys and girls now, too, imposing adult agendas on them. Meantime, we abandon men who bravely pledge their heads to protect our President, our citizenry and freedom elsewhere.
We neglect our veterans who are homeless and so many more like your friends and you who strive to make life work in the mainstream of marriages, fatherhood and careers.

You and the others of you who post here today are going to be in my active prayers, as well as for your friend’s family in their immense loss. DM me if you ever need an ear. The Lord be with your spirit!

brother - you’re words are genuine and true! Thank you.

 

[MikeSizemore]

Absolutely breaks my heart. There is and has been an epidemic of male suicide throughout the world for the last few decades. Men are taught to suck it up and keep moving. We think we are just bothering people if we reach out. At the same time we are told being masculine is toxic, and we are just supposed to be quiet and stand on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, many of us, including myself, deal with depression that can be crippling. We deal with PTSD that changes your entire life. Suicide thoughts become plans. If you ever feel this please, tell someone. You’re not alone.

If you or anyone you know feels this way please, talk about it. All people that go this route have one thing in common. They think other people will be better off without them. That it ends the pain. But it doesn’t. It doesn’t end the pain. It transfers it.

Confronting PTSD is difficult. It’s downright terrifying and you don’t think your life is worth confronting it. It takes time, but with the right meds and the right tools in therapy, you can get better. Get a little better each day.

We will pray. And also, thank you for your service @MikeSizemore

Brother, every man thinks he’s a tough guys until he’s sees that pink mist and then comes to grip of his actions up close. It’s easy to classify them all as bad guys, but what happens when it’s a 12 yo kid. I too never forget some very hateful shit, but my wife and kids give me hope. It sounds crazy, but I do find solice in UF athletics

 

[MikeSizemore]

Just said a prayer for you and the family of the lost patriot @MikeSizemore. This is like the 4th person gone I’ve heard about in the last week (within my circle of course),

Today we are having a celebration of life for my mom. She went to be with Jesus last Wednesday night.

If you need anything or family needs anything, let me know. I am available after today (as today, we celebrate my mom).

Brother - I’m here for you too. Mom is smiling down knowing she raised a great man. I’d share bourbon 🥃 with you any day. Celebrate and remember the best of days. Always here for you brother! - Mike

 

[MikeSizemore]

Very sorry for your loss, @MikeSizemore. Those demons don't take many days off. My wife has been a provider in VA healthcare (primary care) since November and now understands what I've been telling her about how broken many of my brothers and sisters are.

Semper Fortis.

HMCM/USN(ret)

Master Chief,

It’s bad brother…. I retired as a civilian SES from CENTCOM but I come from enlisted roots. I’ve buried too many of our USN and USMC brothers. This one cut me deep because I helped deliver one of their kids! Drunken navy night and a truck tailgate!

Always a brother!

Mike

 

[MikeSizemore]

This is an epidemic.

It is a travesty our government does not provide enough support to our vets. The military teaches you how to perform in battle (ie: be able to kill) but they don’t provide enough resources/support to reacclimate our vets back into society.

I saw a lot of stuff on the fire department that still bothers me to this day. I can’t even comprehend what it would be like to be in combat. The psychological damage due to what you guys have to witness is undeniable. Something has to be done.

I will get off my soapbox now. I feel for you Mike. Prayers go out to all the vets. Btw….thanks for all you do. I will never forget.

Chief - it’s okay. You obviously have some ghosts too. You’ve got family here, so reach out anytime. Even if it’s just to shoot the shit.

 

[navcityboy]

Brother, it tears me up. The guy lived through some hellacious firefights. It was like he was immune to bullets. After his last TBI he was never the same but still seemed ok.

brother - you’re words are genuine and true! Thank you.

I know the feeling. Running towards the screams while the air smells like blood and sulfur. It’ll give you a God complex. You feel untouchable and you try your hardest to suppress that feeling because that’ll get your buddy killed. That never leaves you.

My guy Tom Satterly once told me, “you’ll never fully assimilate into the civilian sector. They don’t want you. They don’t know what to do with you. You’ll scare the shit out of them. They view you as a menace to society.”

He was right.

If you don’t know his story, it’s worth a google. To me, he’s the baddest mf’er on this planet, period.

What he said, I struggle with everyday. Normal society pisses me off. Failure pisses me off. People that let their kids act like dipshits pisses me off and I have an extremely hard time trusting anyone.

 

[MikeSizemore]

I know the feeling. Running towards the screams while the air smells like blood and sulfur. It’ll give you a God complex. You feel untouchable and you try your hardest to suppress that feeling because that’ll get your buddy killed. That never leaves you.

My guy Tom Satterly once told me, “you’ll never fully assimilate into the civilian sector. They don’t want you. They don’t know what to do with you. You’ll scare the shit out of them. They view you as a menace to society.”

He was right.

If you don’t know his story, it’s worth a google. To me, he’s the baddest mf’er on this planet, period.

What he said, I struggle with everyday. Normal society pisses me off. Failure pisses me off. People that let their kids act like dipshits pisses me off and I have an extremely hard time trusting anyone.

We are definitely much alike…. And let me guess, your sense of humor scares people? Lol

 

[navcityboy]

We are definitely much alike…. And let me guess, your sense of humor scares people? Lol

You could say that