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FORT LEE, Va. (Sept. 29, 2016) -- Labeled the “capstone event” of Fort Lee’s Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month observance, the Sept. 22 Beacon Run in the CASCOM headquarters area drew teams from each of the major schools on post as well as a competing squad of ROTC cadets from Virginia State University.
“I’m very satisfied with the turnout considering it’s a first-time event,” said Matt Murcin, the Fort Lee Risk Reduction Program coordinator who oversaw the relay-style race. “We knew it would generate a lot of excitement because it offered a challenge and military members love to compete. Seeing the commanding general here, the Marine Corps, the (Logistics Noncommissioned Officer) Academy … it’s really exciting and uplifting. I think we’re looking at a legacy event that will continue in years to come.”
Each of the nine competing teams was comprised of 10 members each. Individual runners covered a distance of two miles for a combined team total of 20 miles.
“Of course, that number is significant,” Murcin said, “because it relates to the awareness effort connected with the 22-pushup challenge on social media. It’s meant to draw attention to the average suicide rate among military veterans in America each day. The message here is we need to help troubled veterans find a way out of the darkness. The military family is strong, and we’re always in the fight together.”
The team representing the Transportation School won the race with a finish time of 1-hour, 8 minutes, 55 seconds. The Ordnance School placed second.
During closing ceremonies at the 1st Logistics Memorial, event moderators introduced a guest speaker – Gold Star Spouse Amanda Souza – who drove home the point about the Beacon Run’s purpose. Her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Souza, committed suicide in July 2015.
“There were clear signs he was suffering from PTSD, but I never saw them because I never knew how to look for them,” said Souza, clearly struggling to control her emotions. “Maybe he hid them from me because he didn’t want to hurt me. Despite what he thought, though, I am the one who is now suffering that pain of not being able to get it out of my mind. I shake nonstop. I have nightmares. I don’t sleep. I have flashbacks. I can still taste it. I still smell it. I can still hear myself screaming. I can see my kids running downstairs to find out what was wrong.”
Describing her husband’s military service, Souza said he was closing in on retirement with 25 years of combined service starting with the Marine Corps and continuing with the Virginia Army National Guard. During his last deployment to Southeast Asia, he served as a convoy commander moving elements from Kuwait to Iraq.
“There was a member of his unit who was like a brother to him; he was family,” Souza recalled. “They were on their last convoy mission before coming home. The front vehicle that the other Soldier was riding in hit an IED. My husband was a couple of vehicles back. Chris ran forward and pulled him out of the vehicle. He was performing CPR when the group came under attack. Ultimately, he couldn’t save him and he never forgave himself.”
Evidence of her husband’s sorrow could be found on a memorial page for the fallen Soldier. Souza’s husband had posted messages expressing his apologies and the guilt he felt for not being able to save his comrade. Other followers of the page either didn’t make the connection with PTSD or didn’t say anything about it.
“If you’re ever going through something like that, or see signs that someone else is suffering in that manner, please speak up,” Souza emphasized. “Reach out and talk … you would be surprised how far a ‘hey, how are you doing’ text can go when it’s received by someone in pain.”
Souza also implored the audience to pay attention to events like Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month, and training dealing with PTSD and other traumatic situations. “Learn to look for those invisible wounds. Don’t let it result in another tragedy. Don’t put other families through this struggle.”
The commanding general thanked Souza for her bravery in sharing the story of her husband’s death. He invited the Marines in attendance to come forward for a photo and they each hugged the Gold Star Spouse as a show of respect.
“It’s brave individuals like Ms. Souza who put a face on this serious issue,” Williams said. “The take-away is that we need to take care of our own. In this profession, we look out for the person to our left and our right. We have to be there for each other.”
| Date Taken: | 09.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.29.2016 13:00 |
| Story ID: | 210920 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 28 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Teams show supportive spirit during installation Beacon Run, by Patrick Buffett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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