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September 14, 2017
Suicide survivor looks to future after saving others By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford Bauman shared his story, Sept. 7 at Thurman Hall, about his experiences suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress and attempting suicide. “Even though we focus on September being Suicide Prevention Month, suicide occurs the other 11 months of the year,” Bauman said. He recalled being one of few active-duty military members to talk about suicide and his experience with it. “Suicide is so deep and personal,” Bauman said. “It makes people uncomfortable sometimes.” Today, people, especially younger Service members, are more open to talking suicide, he said. He was diagnosed with PostTraumatic Stress after 9/11. He had helped find survivors at the Pentagon, and, a year later, was triggered by a letter he read in the newspaper, written by a boy whose mother’s body Bauman had found. The event caused him to spiral into depression, and he attempted to take his own life. A relative found Bauman and he was rushed to the hospital. He was a Chief Warrant Officer 2 at the time. In October 2009, he and his then 9-year-old son, were fishing with friends when they saw an overturned boat. He immediately went to help the four fishermen who had been ejected from the boat. He performed CPR on one man, but the man ultimately passed away. Although Bauman was able to help save the other three, the experience of not being able to save the fourth sent him back to therapy. “Three people went home that day,” he had to tell himself. And, if he’d successfully committed suicide years earlier, he wouldn’t have been there to help them.
Bauman earned the Soldier’s Medal in 2010 for his efforts in the fishing accident. Although it’s been many years and he has improved, he still is cautious. When 9/11 comes around, Bauman said he avoids watching television. When the day of the fishing accident comes around, he tries not to think about it. Instead, he tries to focus on the positive. “No matter how bad your day went, something good did happen,” he said, adding that PTSD doesn’t go away but you learn to cope with triggers. Bauman showed the audience photos of friends and family who wouldn’t be there if he’d been successful with ending his life. “It really makes you think about all the things you could have missed out on,” he said. Recounting his experiences brings him pain, but he still speaks about them anyway, Bauman said. “If I can keep one person from going down the path I took, it’s worth the pain,” he said.
Submitted photo
National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford “Bill” Bauman at Belvoir’s first of two suicide-prevention presentations. Bauman, after attempting suicide, ultimately ended up saving three boaters’ lives.
Documentary viewing this morning Healing quilt also on display Garrison Public Affairs Belvoir’s Army Substance Abuse Program’s Suicide Prevention Office and SHARP, or Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Prevention, host the Netflix documentary, Audrie & Daisy, at 9 a.m. today in Thurman Auditorium. Afterward, a SHARP and suicide prevention panel of experts will continue the discussion. People who go get Part II SHARP annual
training credit. Information is available from the SHARP Resource Center, 703-806-0615. Everyone is invited to come see The Monument Quilt, from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. today on Long Parade Field, Flagler Road. The quilt provides a public healing space by and for rape and abuse survivors. Belvoir’s SHARP coordinator is Tasha Venters, Tasha.n.venters.civ@mail.mil.
Save the dates! All these events are open to everyone. LRC closure Logistics Readiness Center closed today for organization day Re-opens Friday
Tax volunteers needed
Chili cook-off entries
Annual Oktoberfest
For season that starts in January Training provided, monthly through 2017 703-805-4370
Register by Sept. 22 for Oct. 1 cook-off $25 entry fee, helps scholarships Register, http://bit.ly/BESCchili2017
Pullen Field Carnival, German entertainment Volksmarch, children’s activities Sept. 28-Oct. 1