SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse University professor Tim Gerken still carries memories from his time in the Army. While stationed in Louisiana, he handled paperwork for soldiers who died—many from car crashes and self-harm.
“I had seven suicides in that 10-month period, and there hadn’t been a suicide on the base in three years,” Gerken said.
He never witnessed a death, but the responsibility of documenting each one left a lasting impact. Even 40 years later, he says the memories remain clear. To cope, Gerken started writing poetry, which included one piece that reflected on the first female West Point cadet to die in Iraq.
Gerken writes these poems mainly for himself. It is his way of sorting through experiences he cannot forget, using words to quiet the memories that still linger.
Aside from his own wellness, Gerken hopes that people will start looking out for the mental health of more veterans.
To reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, dial or text 988.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
ELLIOT POTOTSKY: The National Veterans Resource Center is filled with Syracuse war heroes. Even though many can’t share their story, Syracuse professor Tim Gerken can. While in the Army, one of his jobs involved filling out paperwork for reported deaths in Louisiana.
TIM GERKEN: I had seven suicides in that 10-month period, and there hadn’t been a suicide on the base in three years.
POTOTSKY: Even though Gerken never witnessed anyone die, his job was still a painful and traumatizing part of his life.
GERKEN: Those memories have stuck around. That’s, you know, 40 years ago now.”
POTOTSKY: To combat the trauma, Gerken turned to writing — more specifically, poetry.
GERKEN: You are the first female West Point cadet to die in Iraq. And I’m sorry as a writer, I did not write against the war.
POTOTSKY: Even his own mentor couldn’t believe what he had written.
GERKEN: She goes, ‘This was a time in your life. That time is over. Put them away and don’t ever show them to your mother.’”
POTOTSKY: A man tortured by the hellfires of war — now finding a way to preserve the memories of fallen soldiers. Elliot Pototsky, NCC News.