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SCHULZE FAMILY DISAGREES WITH VA REPORT, BUT
WON'T
KEEP FIGHTING -- They "respectfully disagree"
with report that
says their son didn't seek help for suicidal
tendencies. Are
forming the Jonathan Schulze "I Can't Hear You"
Foundation.
Jonathan Schulze
Background with backlinks here...
http://vawatchdog.org/07/nf07/nfAPR07/nf040707-4.htm
Story here...
http://www.kare11.com/
news/news_article.aspx?storyid=251325
Story below:
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Schulze family disagrees with VA's report, but
won't keep fighting
Family and friends of a Marine who committed suicide after his return
from Iraq said they "respectfully disagree" with a report that cleared
the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, but they don't plan to sue or seek
another investigation.
Jonathan Schulze's family has maintained he told hospital staff twice
that he was suicidal in the days before he hanged himself in New Prague
on Jan. 16, but was turned away.
However, a report by the Department of Veterans Affairs earlier this
month concluded there was no evidence of that, and that the record was
in fact "diametrically opposed" to the family's claims.
Family friend Robert Herubin told reporters Monday they "respectfully
disagree," but he declined to address the specifics of the report issued
April 7 by the VA's Office of the Medical Inspector.
Schulze had made at least 40 visits to the VA hospital in Minneapolis,
where doctors diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder, the
report said. But it said mental health workers at the St. Cloud hospital
told investigators Schulze never mentioned suicide to them, and they
would have taken it seriously if he had.
"The report and story has been whether something was, or was not, said,"
Herubin said. "The real issue is: Jonathan finally made the decision to
change his life and get the help he needed. He made a commitment to
become a good dad, and he packed his bags. Irregardless, he was put on a
waiting list and was turned away."
A spokeswoman for the St. Cloud hospital referred calls to the VA in
Washington, where spokesman Matt Burns declined to comment.
Schulze's mother and stepfather, Eileen and John Carlson, joined Herubin
at a news conference at the Prior Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars post,
where Schulze was a life member. His father and stepmother, Jim and
Marianne Schulze, were unable to attend, Herubin said.
They said they're now trying to move forward. They announced they have
begun setting up the Jonathan Schulze "I Can't Hear You" Foundation,
using a favorite Marine phrase, to reach out to returning veterans with
post-traumatic stress disorder.
"Just so his death isn't for nothing," Eileen Carlson said. "I hope this
will be able to help other people."
Herubin, who said he got no hint when he spoke to Schulze about two
weeks before his death that he was contemplating suicide, said the name
of the foundation refers to the need to pay closer atttention to what
veterans might not be saying.
Eric Satersmoen, 25, of Prior Lake, said he was best friends with
Schulze when they fought in Fallujah.
"Every day was some type of combat," Satersmoen said.
Satersmoen said he, too, was disagnosed with PTSD and is getting
counseling through the VA. He said he "most definitely" believes the
foundation can make a difference.
Schulze's family and friends also announced plans for a benefit for
Schulze's daughter, Kaley, and soon-to-be-born son, Jonathan Jr. It will
be at the Prior Lake VFW on May 19.
Donations for Schulze's children can be sent to:
"Kaley and Jonathan Schulze"
Donations to the foundation can be sent to:
"Operation Jonny Schulze,"
Both should be sent in care of Wells Fargo Bank
16817 Duluth St. SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372.
By Steve Karnowski, Associated Press Writer
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Larry Scott --
