CNN Anchor Breaks Down as Parents of Vet Treated at Phoenix VA Facility Read Their Son’s Heartbreaking Suicide Note on the Air

Iraq War Veteran Daniel Somers survived over 400 combat missions only to return home to a “system of dehumanization, neglect, and indifference.” He ended up killing himself last year after receiving treatment from the now infamous Phoenix VA hospital.

On Friday, Somers’ parents appeared on CNN to discuss their son’s tragic demise and the reality many veterans face in the United States after returning from combat.

CNN

They also read some of Somers’ heartbreaking suicide note on the air. In addition to writing that his body had become "nothing but a cage, a source of pain and constant problems," Somers also outlined the painful truth that results in the deaths of veterans every single day:

“Is it any wonder then that the latest figures show 22 veterans killing themselves each day? That is more veterans than children killed at Sandy Hook every single day. Where are the huge policy initiatives? Why isn’t the president standing with those families at the State of the Union? Perhaps because we were not killed by a single lunatic but rather by our system of dehumanization, neglect, and indifference.”

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"I derive no pleasure from any activity, everything simply comes down to passing time until I can sleep again. Now, to sleep forever seems to be the most merciful thing."

Both of Somers' parents and CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin were fighting back tears after the reading of the gut-wrenching note.

Somers’ parents explained that their son had to wait three months to get treatment at the Phoenix VA because the facility confused him for a member of the National Guard. He was then directed to the Department of Defense hospital before the Phoenix VA finally agreed to give him care. Even then, Somers still experienced problems, the parents said.

National Review has the video via CNN: