u.s. army and soon thereafter deployed to iraq. like many serving abroad, the distance, stress, and trauma took a toll on his relationship with his wife and the two separated while he was away. the stress of life also took a toll on him. a firearm was removed for ten days for fear he'd harm himself. he was transferred to ohio and redeployed to iraq for his second tour of duty in 2009. in the weeks running up to deployment, he started losing weight and his e-mails sounded depressed. trying to get settled in, it's hot, it's miserable, it has been tough, miss you guys a lot. on june 19, 2009, he took his own life. upon their son's death, greg and janet were shocked to know the president of the united states did not write condolence letters