The loss of a service member is always a tragic moment but many times, the stories from the people left behind are even more tragic.
In 2013, Kevin (last name withheld) says he lost his father, an Army combat veteran when he was still very young.
He says he still has some memories of him but is seeking help finding more information about his father’s military service because his stepmother allegedly threw away all of his things after his death.
“My father passed away in 2013, and I have close to nothing of his,” Kevin said on Monday. “My stepmother threw out most of his and my stuff, and moved away, haven’t seen her since,” he added.
Kevin and his grandparents believe she was also involved in his father’s death, which was deemed to be accidental.
“He had very bad pain physically and mentally, and my stepmother didn’t help either,” Kevin said.
His father had plans to pick him up the day after his death and had many things to look forward to.
He was working on becoming a priest and was also a Boy Scout troop leader at his church.
“There’s never been a doubt in my mind that it was purely accidental, or just not done by his own will,” Kevin said.
His stepmother was allegedly in charge of providing his father with his medication doses and his death was ruled an “accidental overdose.”
“All we know is that she was responsible for his doses, but he was responsible for how much he took in the end,” he said.
Kevin, who is now 19 years old, found photos of his father, which included some of him during his time in Afghanistan but wants more answers.
He tried contacting others who served with his father but said most of them are unreachable or have committed suicide.
“I have however talked with his old Sergeant over the phone once, I was young though,” Kevin said.
Many other veterans who did not know his father were quick to offer more information based on a picture of his uniform.
Some pointed out the obvious, such as his Infantry blue cord, his good conduct medal, and expert marksmanship badge but one person pointed out an accomplishment that couldn’t be seen on his uniform.
“To me, it looks like you were his biggest accomplishment,” they said.
If anyone knows Kevin’s father and would like to share their memories of serving with him, please contact us with “Kevin” as the subject.
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