Getting through the darkness
Navy veteran D. Paul Fleming shares his story about overcoming suicidal ideation, his new book on the topic and more as this week’s special guest on The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast.
Fleming’s book, “A Date With Suicide,” tells the stories of veterans who have struggled at the edges of life and death, including his own struggles as a disabled veteran.
His book and story resonate with The American Legion’s Be the One mission to reduce the number of veterans lost to suicide. Fleming, who was medically discharged, recognized his post-traumatic stress disorder in the 1990s and sought help. Finally in 2018, he was able to find his own way
“I either have to end this pain because this is just brutal,” recalled Fleming, a member of American Legion Post 19 in Willimantic, Conn. “Or I have to find peace. So I found peace. I taught myself by using 1,000 pieces of information I collected over the years, put myself together and now I am telling my story. The hardest thing for me to do is to tell my story.”
Now he strives to share his story as a way to save other veterans by shining a light on humor and positivity. “Darkness loves despair.”
Fleming, who played American Legion Baseball, also said the civilian community can play roles in eliminating veteran suicide. Specifically:
• “Listen to veterans without talking and treat us like everyone else.”
• And after thanking a veteran for their service, follow up: “How is your mental health? I’m here. I’m listening. Are you suicidal?”
Also, co-hosts Stacy Pearsall, Adam Marr and Joe Worley discuss:
• What VA is doing to better understand suicide.
• A recent presidential proclamation that will allow members of the LGBTQ+ community to apply for a certificate of pardon to change their discharge status, which will help them receive withheld benefits.
• The market for military books.
Check out this week’s episode, which is among more than 260 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.