December 7, 2007

Army Medic, Dead at 20

This very tragic story connects the lives of two female soldiers forever. Sammantha was a friend of 1st Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, whose is facing criminal charges for attempted suicide and endangering the life of another soldier.

Save Our Soldiers
Rest In Peace
Sammantha Owen-Ewing
Sammantha Arlene Owen Ewing
1986 – 2007
By: Kelly Dougherty
Last Monday, November 26, Sammantha Owen-Ewing, one of IVAW’s newest members, the wife of my friend Scott, and a former Army medic like me, committed suicide in her Rhode Island home. Sammantha was only 20 years old, and in that short time had been an Army medic training to become a nurse while stationed at Walter Reed, then became a patient herself in Walter Reed’s mental health ward. In June, she married Scott Ewing, also an IVAW member, and was discharged from the Army. Despite an uphill battle to receive care from the VA, things seemed to be looking up; she was getting settled into life in Rhode Island, planned to continue her medical career, and was becoming active in Iraq Veterans Against the War. Although most of us were never fortunate enough to know Sammantha, she was one of us and we mourn her passing.
[...] IVAW has set up a memorial fund on behalf of Sammantha Owen-Ewing to help her family offset her funeral costs. We will be accepting donations through the end of December, if you’d like to make a donation, go to www.ivaw.org/sammantha.
http://www.ivaw.org/
The Wounded Warrior Call-Center 1-877-487-6299
– This is a hotline for injured, wounded, or ill former and current Marines, Sailors and their family members. They offer information, resources, and advocacy for men and women suffering from either physical or psychological wounds.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
– By calling and pressing "1" you will be connected with round-the-clock access to mental health professionals who focus solely on helping veterans.
SAVE (Suicide Awareness Voices of Education) www.save.org – This non-profit's mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce stigma, and serve as a resource for those touched by suicide.
Vets 4 Vets, (520) 319-5500, www.vets4vets.us
– Vets 4 Vets is a peer support group for recent veterans. In weekend workshops and local groups, veterans talk and listen to each other to help heal from negative wartime and military experiences. Contact them to find out about upcoming workshops.
National Veterans Foundation, 1-888-777-4443, www.nvf.org
– This non-profit, non-governmental organization gives assistance, information and resources to veterans from all military branches.

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