(File Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. — A 35-year-old combat veteran died Tuesday morning after an apparent fall from the upper floors of the nine-story Dayton Residential Care building, located at 521 59th St. in downtown Kenosha.
Police and fire personnel were dispatched to the area around 9:42 a.m. for a report of a man found behind the building. Initial dispatch traffic indicated the man was unconscious and not breathing. Emergency responders also noted he had suffered severe facial injuries consistent with a significant fall.
Authorities have not publicly released the man’s identity. It appears the man fell from near the top of the building.
Kenosha Police Captain James Beller confirmed that detectives are investigating the death, though he said the circumstances remain under investigation. Beller, who is also a military veteran, said veteran suicide is a serious issue that deserves more public attention.
“We owe it to those who served our country to make sure they are supported and that they know they are not alone,” Beller said. “There are resources available, including the Veterans Crisis Line.”
Beller noted that the Kenosha Police Department employs many military veterans and said those officers bring a unique perspective and understanding when responding to people in crisis.
“They’ve walked in those shoes,” Beller said. “They are uniquely qualified to connect with veterans who may be struggling.”
The death serves as another painful reminder of the mental health struggles many military veterans continue to face after returning home. Combat veterans can experience post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse issues, survivor’s guilt, and other challenges that may not always be visible to friends and family.
Veterans in crisis can call the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. They can also text 838255 or chat online through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. Help is available 24 hours a day.
Those looking to support veterans struggling with PTSD and homelessness can donate to the Disabled American Veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, Mission 22, and Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin.
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15 Responses
That is heartbreaking. May he rest in peace, and thank you for your service young man.
May he rest in peace. As the spouse of a Retired Combat Veteran (Marine Corps) with PTSD this is heartbreaking. He is just a bit younger than my active duty Marine son. We have lost too many Veterans. Again rest in peace youngman, I will keep you in my prayers.
This is crushing. Our Vets deserve so much better and so sad seeing them (and non-veterans) suffering with mental health issues. RIP to this vet and God Bless to the family and friends…
God Bless our veterans.
Who knows what horrors they have seen.
May Jesus welcome him home
Reports show only 50% of donations to Wounded Warrior Project actually make it to the veteran. The rest is/was wasted on high salaries and overspending on lavish items. Do not donate to this organization.
Tunnel2towers is a great organization and most proceeds go to veterans and first responders. They even buy closed hotels and turn them into adaptable living for the disabled veteran/1st responder community.
Exactly right…Tunnel to Towers
As a volunteer who visits Dayton, I have met and seen MANY struggling faces. Not always on the outside but in their eyes. I wish peace to the individual and many thanks for his service. I hope that he went peacefully.
As a friend to Buddy, Willie and Cecil who lived and died in these building. At one time they wert referred to as shell shocked veterans but became residents of the Dayton Hotel by time passes.
We might recall one of these men, before becoming a friend to Jesus, recalled girls vulgaritys by upset him with asking for kisses or trying to hug from him. Possible recalling when another while standing in Becker’s Cigar would laughter, without known reason, out loudly while speaking to his self Another man laid out sprawled on the Post Office stairs hand out for change or a smoke then seeing him at the corner gas station buying scratch offs.
That was the old way of an old time. Brandon and Charles are more current times but the old time hasn’t really upgraded today’s men’s life. I still see a rattling dirty elevator. The rooms are small, dank and many maintenance issues. Med time is a stand and wait whenever staff is set. In the mean time I’ve heard discussion about what cigarettes can be battered for their daily pitance allowance. The back yard has no real area, littered by butt’s and loud with exhaust or venting noises.
As much as I am to be proud of their service I still feel they are shorted not ony why the community awareness but by allowing this is an acceptable living condition.
To this 35 tr old veteran I salute you and bow my head. My God reach to you and forever hold you conformable in peace, God bless..
I didnt know it was guys thay young over there. Everyone i see is in there 70s
This is yet another call for compassion. As a Veteran myself I often think back to how well taken care of veterans were at the Dayton, the Hamdia family, my Aunt Dorothy Caudill, her daughter Jayne, and my mother’s home.
I raise pendent issues, however, in my book, DOMESTIC TERRORISM: USA vs Veterans and the First Amendment, Dr. KC Tennant, DC
This is our time.
And look what Trump is dragging this geaneration into!
All for Israel. Fuck Trump!
Yes, we were so much safer under Obama and Biden. It must really piss you off that more people are killed on the nation’s highways in one day then in the entire Iran action so far.
Having been involved in a fatal accident I personally understand the devastation of even one acccident.
Conditions themselves were often difficult during previous administrations. There were many political decisions that are worth discussion.
The amount of lives lost caused by this “war” should not be compared with American non-war statistics. Ask the loved ones of those military members who have died, those who have been injured and those whose lives remain in danger – American lives and the lives of other countries.
All of these statistics are horrific and deserve deep consideration.
Retarded segue