FORT RILEY, Kan. - A cool dreary evening set a somber mood for the first Suicide Prevention Candle Light Vigil Sept. 9 in the Army Community Service parking lot.
As attendees spoke of their loved ones lost to suicide tears rolled down their checks as a mist began to fall.
Jane Bedeaux, a military spouse, hadn't planned on attending the vigil, but she changed her mind after a friend took his own life Aug. 28.
Bedeaux said the vigil helped her heal.
"The funeral was Sept. 1, and I found out Sept. 3, said Bedeaux, then finding out more information on Labor Day about how he did it, it hurt more."
This is the second suicide Bedeaux has dealt with in her life. She also suffers from depression.
Her husband, Sgt. James Bedeaux, Company E, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, has been through the Gatekeeper class and said it has helped him help his wife with her depression.
This was the first vigil that took place to raise awareness about suicide in the Fort Riley community.
"It went really well," said David Easterling, Suicide Prevention Program coordinator. "We were able to have people share stories about their connection to suicide. After speaking with several who attended, the one thing that kept coming up was that it was nice to be in an environment where they could speak openly about their feelings."
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