Photo By Capt. Christopher kim | More important information about Operation Jack’s village, an all-volunteer...... read more read more
While many people around the world celebrate the holiday season with loved ones, some do not have the luxury of all being together, which can make this time of year feel cold and dark.
“Losing a child, especially your youngest child, has been a level of grief that is hard to put in words,” Elizabeth Martin said. “We are coping with the support of a very large community of friends, family, and what we call our military family whom we have developed close relationships through the past 25 years.”
Master Sgt. Paul D. Martin, a former NCOIC for the 311th SC (T) finance section, and his spouse, Elizabeth Martin, will spend the holiday season spreading suicide awareness to teenagers in honor of their fallen son, Jack Martin, who died by suicide on Jan. 5, 2020.
“We are all trying to adjust to what life looks like without Jack in it.” Elizabeth Martin said.
Jack’s passing was the darkest moment for the Martin family and they knew that the best way to honor Jack and his legacy was to be the brightest light for teenagers experiencing their darkest moments in life.
“In the first few weeks following Jack’s death, we received several alarming letters from other kids,” Elizabeth Martin said. While this initially added to their sorrow, it ultimately propelled them into positive action!
They saw the need for a program to combat mental illness and spread suicide awareness for teenagers and that is how Operation Jack’s Village started. The heart of Operation Jack’s Village, a non-profit organization designed to uplift and support youth who are suffering in the same way, focuses on a comprehensive approach to adolescent suicide awareness and prevention.
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is second to unintentional Injury as a lead cause of death for teenagers aged 10-14 and as many as 8% of adolescents have attempted suicide.
They were shocked to hear from an overwhelming amount of teens who confided their suicidal thoughts and ideations with them. The past 25 years show that the rate of teen suicide has risen by 300%, and the Martin family wanted to combat this harrowing change.
Operation Jack’s Village shares coping tools for adolescents to survive, thrive, and once again soar. The Martin family is dedicated to providing tools and resources for parents and caregivers to have a robust skillset and knowledge of teenage suicide prevention. Their all-volunteer force works with the community to support events such as suicide prevention summits, a climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro, zip-line Veterans Day events, and other events in the Tampa, Florida, area.
Jack’s legacy continues to live on as the organization reaches out to teens and adolescents who are struggling with suicidal ideation. His legacy also lives on through his selflessness which allowed several fortunate recipients a second chance at life.
Days after their tragedy, Jack gave life to six other people when seven of his organs were donated.
“Jack continued to give life even beyond his time here on earth; he was an organ donor, and we were contacted by the mother of the little boy who received Jack’s heart,” Elizabeth Martin said. “The heart recipient is an 8-year-old boy in Virginia. The recipient of his lungs is a 13-year-old boy in Texas, and the liver recipient is a 5-month-old girl in Georgia.”
Jack’s parents find comfort in the fact that his light will always shine bright through Operation Jack’s Village and through Jack’s selfless act of being a donor.
“Grief is the most damaging emotion that exists, it can steal your mind and the beauty of life.” Paul Martin said. “Our memories of Jack will always be of an affectionate, energetic and intelligent boy who still liked to cuddle with mom and read, always presenting ways to light up the room.”
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| Date Taken: | 01.15.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 01.20.2024 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 462140 |
| Location: | FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 98 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Jack's Life Shines On: Raising Teen Suicide Awareness, by CPT Christopher kim, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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