In 2007, Daniel Somers was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, Gulf War Syndrome, fibromyalgia and a host of other medical problems. He sought treatment through therapy, medication, music and film production, but took his own life on June 10, 2013. He left behind a powerful suicide note that went viral on the Internet after his family released it to local media.
Remembering Daniel Somers —
In 2007, Daniel Somers was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder, Gulf War Syndrome, fibromyalgia and a host of other medical problems. He sought treatment through therapy, medication, music and film production, but took his own life on June 10, 2013. He left behind a powerful suicide note that went viral on the Internet after his family released it to local media.
Family Photo
Daniel and his parents, Howard and Jean, celebrate Daniel's graduation from the Defense Language Institute in 2005. After his first deployment to Iraq, Daniel wanted to study Arabic to increase his skill set as an intelligence officer.
Remembering Daniel Somers —
Daniel and his parents, Howard and Jean, celebrate Daniel's graduation from the Defense Language Institute in 2005. After his first deployment to Iraq, Daniel wanted to study Arabic to increase his skill set as an intelligence officer.
Family Photo
Daniel at age 5. His family said that as a child, he was always interested in music and loved the piano. At age 12, he wrote his first song on the guitar.
Remembering Daniel Somers —
Daniel at age 5. His family said that as a child, he was always interested in music and loved the piano. At age 12, he wrote his first song on the guitar.
Family Photo
Daniel fronted and played guitar for Lisa Savidge, a progressive rock/shoegaze band that toured the Southwest and got airplay on Phoenix's independent radio station. He had dreams of one day opening a recording studio in Seattle.
Remembering Daniel Somers —
Daniel fronted and played guitar for Lisa Savidge, a progressive rock/shoegaze band that toured the Southwest and got airplay on Phoenix's independent radio station. He had dreams of one day opening a recording studio in Seattle.
Family Photo
Daniel married his high school sweetheart, Angel Somers, in 2001. The two began dating in the sixth grade and, according to Daniel's parents, had "a very close relationship."
Remembering Daniel Somers —
Daniel married his high school sweetheart, Angel Somers, in 2001. The two began dating in the sixth grade and, according to Daniel's parents, had "a very close relationship."
Family Photo
Daniel and Angel before a military ball in Phoenix. Angel studied nursing during Daniel's first deployment and often assisted him in getting medical treatment and therapy in the private sector when he was unable to be seen by the VA.
Remembering Daniel Somers —
Daniel and Angel before a military ball in Phoenix. Angel studied nursing during Daniel's first deployment and often assisted him in getting medical treatment and therapy in the private sector when he was unable to be seen by the VA.
Family Photo
Daniel was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, he was part of Task Force Lightning, an intelligence unit in Baghdad, where he ran more than 400 combat missions as a machine gunner in the turret of a Humvee. In 2006, Daniel deployed a second time and worked with the Joint Special Operations Command, where he ran the Northern Iraq Intelligence Center as a senior analyst.
Remembering Daniel Somers —
Daniel was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, he was part of Task Force Lightning, an intelligence unit in Baghdad, where he ran more than 400 combat missions as a machine gunner in the turret of a Humvee. In 2006, Daniel deployed a second time and worked with the Joint Special Operations Command, where he ran the Northern Iraq Intelligence Center as a senior analyst.
Family Photo