Former U.S. Commander at Baghdad Airport Dies from 'Depression'

Even after covering the tragic final chapters in the lives of so many U.S. military personnel in Iraq or veterans back home, I found the brutally frank opening line in an obituary from four days ago particularly haunting: "Donald P. Christy, Lt. Col, USAF, passed away April 21, 2008 in Colorado Springs after an extended bout of anxiety and depression."

Further on, the obit mentioned that in 2004 "Don served a tour of duty as the Deputy Commander at Baghdad Airport in Iraq" -- which, as we now know, must have been one of the most stressful jobs in all of Iraq at that time, in light of insurgent attacks and the controversy over interrogation techniques practiced there.

I don't know yet how Christy died, but this comes on the heels of a Veterans Administration cover-up of the shockingly high number of suicide attempts by vets (1000 a month) and a Rand Corp. study revealing that 300,000 who served in Iraq or Afghanistan now suffer from various mental problems. I've followed this issue carefully for five years now and it figures prominently in my new book on Iraq and the media.

The Christy obit, which presumably was composed by his family (he leaves parents, two sons, an ex-wife) was published in the Colorado Springs Gazette last Thursday, and picked up by Legacy.com, which also carries a tribute board. Christy was 42. Internment is taking place this morning with full military honors at the Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of choice.

Christy hailed from Johnson City, N.Y., and his obit explains that after returning to the U.S. following his Baghdad Airport posting, "he attended the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was then reassigned to the Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs."

Among the tributes at Legacy.com is one that is directed directly to him by a man from Foster City, Ca., who served with him:

"Don, It seems like yesterday that you and I were young lieutenants in Grand Forks. Back then your greatest worry was which video game you could borrow from me. I'm sorry that I lost touched over the years.

"I'm also sorry to hear that your life was in turmoil. My prayers are with you and your family. RIP my friend. I hope you have found peace and may your family find solace in this difficult time. As with your family's wishes, I will be making a donation to a charity in your name."

And a woman from Texas writes to Christy's mom: "I too lost my son to depression. Mother to mother I know this loss is so very great. I will keep you family in my prayers and know that Donald is in the arms of the angels."
*
Greg Mitchell's new book includes several chapters on this subject. It is So Wrong for So Long: How the Press, the Pundits -- and the President -- Failed on Iraq, and it has been hailed by Bill Moyers, Glenn Greenwald, Arianna H and others.

Comments

[itolduso]

The suicide numbers cover-up, the appalling conditions of V.A. hospitals, denial of claims, delay in treatments, false reclassifications of injuries and cause of death reports- the under-reporting of the number of homeless veterans on the streets of America.... it's time to do more than cuss. This is waaaaaay beyond a simple political problem-if you really care, stop waiting for a solution from the "government". In every city & town in America, social service agencies are struggling to cope-soup kitchens, food banks, shelters, counselors-far too many of those lined up outside their doors are veterans-standing on streets littered with made-in-China-yellow ribbon magnets-it's a national disgrace. Give ....time, money, food, clothes, professional services, phone cards....something-anything....just give. Each of us must work to keep more veterans from losing all hope. It's not enough to demand the government withdraw our troops-it's up to us to see that they make it all the way home.

[MikeDu]

Ronald Reagan once famously said the government wasn't the solution it was the problem. And ever since the Republican party has done everything in its power to prove him right. Everything they touch falls apart. Healthcare, economic security, national security, infrastructure, the rule of law, etc, etc, etc. Did you really think RNC zealots would allow the government to take proper case of our troops when they've actively sabotaged EVERYTHING else the government does?

[itolduso]

Both parties have sold out to corporate rule-the Republicans are just more open about their willingness to sell out the American people. I'm just hoping that enough individuals will step up and take responsibility for the debt that each of us owes our troops. Many are trying-it's hard to get the word out about both the challenges facing our vets and the actions individuals can take to ease the pressure on them- the main stream media only reports when they see money in it for themselves, and too many of their stories either repeat line for line the official cover-ups or bury us in statistics that make the problems appear insurmountable. In the county where I live (population 300,000) 227 veterans sought food, shelter, and counseling from our local social service agencies last year. Our community would have to give very little to make those vets lives much better-the fact that we didn't is a disgrace-and we have to stop merely waiting for solutions from politicians, government, and corporations-all of which are designed to protect themselves from liability & responsibility for their failures- and which only act when enough individuals demand it- demand action now.

[irishgawdess]

As someone who also suffers from depression (mixed bipolar), I know how extremely difficult it is to talk oneself out of ending the pain, once and for all. I certainly cannot speak for anyone else with depression; I just know how it can affect me about three or four times a month. Depression saps ones physical and mental energy, especially if the doctors haven't found the right "cocktail" yet.

If the meds are working and one starts to come out of the depression, as ones energy returns there is some chance that their resolve to kill themselves may become stronger before it goes away. This is a crucial time, and seeing ones doctor every week is advised. My medical insurance is through an HMO, and their protocol is six weeks between med checks with a psychiatrist. If the VA provides similar care and protocols, it's easy to see how this could be a problem, esp. if ones meds aren't working very well.

My condolences to the Christy family. Just know that it wasn't due to anything you did, or didn't, do.

[GOP4MoreTears]

Vote Senator John McCain for more of the same.

[ignorantwillyharper]

AMEN !

[SamThornton]

HuffPost's Pick

The ratio of what has been called Battle Fatigue (BF) or PTSD to physical injury rates among American combat forces has been fairly consistent at 2:1 since such statistics have been collected, so it's not difficult to estimate a base number for such cases in the current circumstances.

In the professional opinions of most Army commanders in World War II and Korea, the length of time in a combat environment before an individual could be expected to succumb to BF or PTSD ranged from 5 to 6 months. Extended combat tours in World War II beyond that point produced nearly 100% casualty rates for heavily engaged units when casualties from Battle Fatigue are included. This is one of the reasons our forces in Vietnam were periodically rotated out of combat for R&R.

This is also what today's professional military leaders are talking about when they say we are in danger of "breaking" our Armed Forces, particularly the Army and Marines. The 18-month deployment cycle used to facilitate the "Surge" seems particularly dismissive of our troops well-being when the consequences are well known in advance. In fact, the damage has been done and both we and our troops are now left to deal with the consequences on our own, as best we can. Expect no effective help from a government grown deaf to everything but the lure of power and wealth.

[Forest]

And now Iran?

[Janco54]

Another tragic story. We need to prepare ourselves for many many more like this.
God bless his family and send them peace.

[hopeless277]

How many people would YOU kill for a BILLION DOLLAR DEFENSE CONTRACT?

[cityspeak]

God damns all wars. The people responsible for this senseless blood shed and the suffering of millions will be held accountable.

Our duty while here on earth living alongside our fellow human beings is to bring peace and comfort to one another and hold those responsible for this atrocity to US and international laws. Take any and all nonviolent action to bring an end to the greed and corruprton that is currently fueling American politics.

Peace.

[2sunny]

There is NO SANE solution but PEACE!

During this "season of Pascha" (Orthodoxy) I wish to express a writing I find TRUE in Making PEACE, Being PEACE. Bringing PEACE into our reality........and so it goes.......

CHRIST HAS NO HANDS NOW BUT YOURS.........give this some thought my peaceful friends out there........2Sunny

[TunnelRat]

I guess that means the Civil War and WWII?

Freedom isn't free.

[Chrisallalone]

I know that you're responding to the statement "God damns all wars" when you bring up the Civil War and WWII. I would not necessarily argue about the point that sometimes wars are necessary. But the original comment was made in the context of Iraq, and it's important that overgeneralization not muddy the waters. This is no WWII -- just an immoral war of aggression which has deeply and tragically failed.

[gopindrag]

Goddamn the man who started this war! Goddamn those who enabled him! Goddamn the war!