To the editor:

The writer of the Public Forum letter to the editor, “Hagedorn’s response to suicide is ‘appalling’ “ (10/16 ) questioned whether “people who commit suicide go to hell.” As a Vietnam veteran, he had friends who committed suicide and noted “approximately 20 veterans commit suicide each day.”

“They are all going to hell? They’re all bad people of some kind?,” the writer asked.

Actually we all are worthy of going to hell according to God’s Word. “There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 begins, but good news ends the verse: “and are justified (declared not guilty) by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

Taking one’s life is not God’s will for us because He gave us life. However, there are believers who may feel overwhelmed, too. In their minds suicide is a way to escape their pain and be with Jesus and loved ones in heaven. Taking one’s life to punish someone would be a different matter. In some cases, when no final notes are left, we simply have to put things into God’s hands.

Our veterans may suffer from ugly war memories, loss of friends, survivor guilt, and, upon return, the loss of being part of a “band of brothers.”

Loneliness and lack of purpose are major causes of depression. Counseling and medication are helpful for all in deep distress of mind. Most of all we need to take the time to encourage and engage those who are struggling with life’s difficulties. God has plans to give us hope and a future.

Veterans, your service will never be forgotten. Thank you!

Trudy Madetzke

Marshall