ABC6 Honors: Bristol family fighting to keep soldiers alive

August 30, 2017 12:44 am

By: Christina Myers

Email: cmyers@abc6.com

Twitter: @CMyersABC6

BRISTOL, R.I. (WLNE) — After losing their son while serving his fourth year in the Army, Lynn and John Patton are fighting for recognition and to keep others like their son alive.

Sgt. Matthew Patton died in May 2013 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

His parents tearfully remember the day they found out about Matthew’s death.

"We had to call Lynn, and it was the hardest thing…hardest thing I’ve ever done," said John Patton.

"I just dropped the phone…And screamed ‘No’ over and over and over," said Lynn Patton. "And I said, ‘He did it.’"

Although she was devastated, Lynn says she knew her son would die in the Army and she also knew he would die by his own hand.

By the time Matthew joined the Army in 2008 he had tried to kill himself three times.

"He had 13 mental health disqualifiers because we had to commit him. But they still took him, they waved him through," said Lynn.

Matthew served overseas, including a tour in Afghanistan. Although he suffered from mental health issues before, the things he experience in war gave him PTSD, which compounded his struggles.

He would try to take his own life five more times before he succeeded.

"I would like a ‘Matthew Patton Law’. If you have one documented suicide attempt that resulted in a commitment, you absolutely cannot be waved through, no way, shape or form, no matter what’s going on in this country," said Lynn.

She believes her son was taken into the Army despite his mental health issues because of a need for recruits. To combat this, Lynn says a draft may be necessary.

Matthew’s parents say they are also marginalized by many in the veteran community based on how he died, because he is not considered to have been "killed in action."

"The enemy was inside his head," said Lynn. "He couldn’t take it anymore so he did exactly what he was taught to do, which was kill the enemy. Unfortunately, when he put that gun to his head he killed himself as well. So I think it is an in-the-line-of-duty death."

John and Lynn started the Matthew Patton Foundation to not only recognize their son’s service but also work to change the way the military operates and, perhaps most importantly, prevent other veterans from taking their own lives.

They travel to different bases across the country telling their story and many service members open-up to them about their struggles as well.

The Foundation has saved 20 lives, that they know of, so far.

"We’re all responsible for saving these people that served their time to save us, said Lynn. "It’s our turn to save them now."

You can find more information or talk to someone anonymously at matthewpattonfoundation.org any time of day.

They specialize in issues faces military men and women, but anyone who is having thoughts of self-harm, or knows anyone who is, can use their services.