William's Story - 22 A day is not Ok

William Robert Davidson

​He was a momma’s boy, fun loving, and good to everyone. He just wanted peace and happiness for all. He had the biggest heart of anyone I have ever known. Even while in high school he would give me a hug and didn’t care who was around. He was just a great kid who truly loved people and life. ​

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After graduating from Suffield high school in 2010, William enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard at the age of 18.  William served in Afghanistan from 2012-2013, Operation Enduring Freedom. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard until his discharge on Aug 31, 2016.

My son was in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan from 2012 - 2013. During that year I believe there was around 400 fatalities. My son experienced extremely difficult conditions and suffered from combat related emotional wounds called PTSD.​

Upon returning from Afghanistan William was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He was working full time for the Army National Guard in Hartford, CT doing an IT related role, that he really enjoyed. But sadly, in June of 2016 his employment there was terminated.

Two months later, on August 31, 2017 the Army National Guard discharged William from service.

My son lost his will power to go on from his emotional wounds which he tried to get help for within a broken system, who failed him. Four months after his discharge he took his own life. Tragically, Sergeant William Davidson died by suicide January 2, 2017.

At no point in my son's military journey had anyone from the Army National Guard or the VA ever called his next of kin (his mother) to inform me about the emotional trauma endured while in Afghanistan or his previous suicide attempt prior to or after his discharge from the ANG. With a national daily statistic of 22 veteran suicides for far too many years, I find this lack of attention and lack of care for our military and veteran community reckless and irresponsible. We need attention on this national crisis and we need to start holding people more accountable for proper care of Americas heroes.

Help me make this a priority in our country. 

Timeline:
Jun, 2010  - High School Graduation
Aug, 2010 - Enlisted with the U.S. Army National Guard
2012-2013 - Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan
2014 - Obtained a position within the ANG in Hartford, CT doing an IT related role
Nov, 2015 - Williams was recognized by his sister Alicia celebrating Veterans day 2015
Jun, 2016 - Laid off from National Guard
Aug, 2016 - Discharged from National Guard
Jan 2, 2017 - Died by suicide

Since the death of my son, my life has changed. I have never experienced a greater loss than losing my child, devastated from losing him by suicide. Since my loss, I have become grief stricken and bear a great amount of guilt for not helping my own child.

My sons death Will not be for nothing. Awareness, forcing changes within a broken system, and doing something this preventable tragedy is my new passion in life. We Will learn from this, and do better because we owe that to them.