Standing together

Courtesy Photo | (Fourth from the left) Spc. Andre Whyne, infantryman, 4th Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), stand with members of his platoon during a trip to Philadelphia earlier this year. During a rough time in his life, these soldiers and other members of The Old Guard came together to help save his life. (Courtesy photo)  

ARLINGTON, VA, UNITED STATES

09.24.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Megan Garcia 

3d U.S. Infantry Regiment “The Old Guard”

ARLINGTON, Va. - The day Sgt. Sheldon Benjamin’s friend asked him if he wanted his TV, Sheldon knew that something just wasn’t right.

“He was real teary faced; a way that I just wasn’t used to seeing him,” said Benjamin, infantryman, Honor Guard Company, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). “I told him to [unlatch] his door and that I would be over there in a little bit.”

When Sheldon arrived to his friend’s room, he was shocked at what he saw. Instantly he knew his friend was in trouble.

“When I went into his room, there were weird things I just wasn’t used to seeing,” said Benjamin. “His room was really messy. There were little pills on the floor and the desk counter, and when I looked at his computer, I saw a MoneyGram website for transferring money.”

However, no warning sign was more apparent then when Benjamin heard these four words, “I’m done with this.”

Immediately Benjamin staged an intervention, calling on other soldiers to come and sit with his friend while he went and sought help.

“I was relieved,” said Spc. Andre Whyne, infantryman, 4th Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company. “I was really stressed out. I had a lot on my mind at that time, like family and a little bit of financial issues, and it all just caved in on me. When Benjamin and the other guys responded the way they did, I knew someone actually cared about me and was there for me.”

Whyne gained hope after seeing how his comrades reacted to his distress. He credits the quick actions of Benjamin and his battle buddies, as well as the immense support of his unit, for saving his life. As he took steps toward his recovery, members of The Old Guard were with him every step of the way.

“After everything happened, I was in the hospital for two weeks and everyday someone from my platoon came to visit me,” said Whyne. “It felt good to have people there who understood me and what I was going through.”

Whyne said his Chaplain, Capt. Mark Denning, was also a helpful outlet. He not only reached out to Whyne as a source of spiritual strength, but as a friend and a listening ear.

“At first I was very closed and didn’t want to talk about it but we continued to have regular meetings and sometimes he would take me out to lunch,” said Whyne. “Eventually I was able to open up to him.”

Denning said relating to Whyne on a more personal level was key.
“For me, the difference I can make is to get to know someone for who they really are outside of just the Army,” said Denning. “I think everyone has worth, and being able to walk through that journey with Whyne was important. Caring about someone is not just what I say, but what I do.”

Whyne went back to work immediately following his release from the hospital, although he said his chain of command was willing to give him as much time as he needed.

“The biggest role that the unit has to play is leaders and other soldiers not only have to be aware and alert to a soldier who is suicidal but also have to be willing to step up and take action,” said Col. Michelle Roberts, Military District of Washington public affairs officer.

For two years, Roberts worked on a taskforce which was designed to combat suicide within the Army.

“With the way everyone rallied around [Whyne] and helped him through that rough time, it was natural for him to come back to work because he still felt like part of the team,” Roberts added.
Amongst this tremendous support, Whyne’s outlook on life has definitely changed.

“I really didn’t see where my life was going at that time but now I know things aren’t as bad as I thought they were,” said Whyne. “I once thought everyone was in their own world and nobody cared about each other but now I know differently.”

Whyne hopes his story will inspire other soldiers to reach out to someone if they are in a desperate place.

“Talk to your closest buddy in the Army or someone in your squad or platoon,” said Whyne. “They will help you through it. Without the help of my battle buddies, I never would have made it.”

• Date Taken: 09.24.2012
• Date Posted: 09.24.2012 09:16
• Story ID: 95187
• Location: ARLINGTON, VA, US