Encourages fight against service member suicide on the home front
U.S. Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Timothy Deardorff felt the calling to join the U.S. military at a young age, and he said Friday during the Logan County Veterans Day Ceremony at the Holland Theatre, that the events of Sept. 11, 2001, spurred his interest even further.
Just five months after the terrorist attacks, he entered the U.S. Army Reserve in February 2002, while still attending Benjamin Logan High School. He would graduate from BLHS shortly thereafter.
In August 2002, he attended basic training at Fort Knox, Ky., and then that October, he participated in Advanced Individual Training in Fort Lee, Va.
Now after nearly 21 years of dedicated service, including a one-year deployment to Iraq beginning Jan. 1, 2005, he is preparing for retirement from the U.S. Army Reserves in February of 2023.
After Staff Sgt. Deardorff competed his initial training back in 2002, he was assigned to the 175th Quartermaster Company in Delaware, Ohio. Then he was activated with the 215th Quartermaster Company in Jefferson, Ind., alongside other members of the U.S. Army Reserves across the Midwest in preparation for operations in Iraq.
During his deployment in 2005 with the 215th QM Co., he performed convoy security operations, which included the use of gun trucks to provide security for logistical operations throughout Iraq.
During the tour, he and his fellow troop members performed more than 300 logistical combat missions, keeping the major trade routes safe in Iraq.
While Staff Sgt. Deardorff admitted that “it was a very dangerous and strenuous job,” he stated that there was only one major instance when he truly felt a sense of fear — his very first day stepping off the plane in Kuwait on Jan. 1, 2005.
“I knew this one-year tour could go only one of two ways — with me returning home with the rest of my troop, or me coming home in a body bag.
“We went there knowing we wanted to do a job and then return home to our loved ones.”
At the end of the tour, Deardorff received a variety of distinguished honors, including the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
In September 2017, the Findlay resident was promoted to his current rank and he became a platoon sergeant. Then in December of 2020, he became an Observer Controller Trainer assigned to the 3/397th OCT Battalion in Columbus, where he now trains units in logistic combat operations.
Over the years, Deardorff has observed a growing concern among his service member friends and colleagues, an epidemic of loss due to suicide, he said.
“I’ve known more soldiers who have died here in the States than overseas. Suicide is a serious problem that is affecting our veterans.”
To combat this difficult issue, the BLHS graduate encouraged those in attendance to check in on their neighbors, family and friends when they are going through challenging times, from a divorce to the death of a loved ones, loss of a job and other hardships.
“Don’t just text someone or message them on social media; give them a call. If you can’t get them on the phone, stop by and see them in person,” the 39-year-old said. “We need to have the same mentality that we have on the battlefield — all we have is each other.”
To continue that connection to others, the featured speaker invited local veterans to get involved in their community, including by joining area veteran service organizations, like the American Legion, VFW or AMVETS.
American Legion Second District Commander Tim Shaw also told the crowd that with the older members dying off, their numbers at the American Legion Harold Kerr Post 173, Bellefontaine, have been shrinking in recent years.
“We need our younger brothers and sisters to join us in service. We’d love to have you join us in serving our community. We work to help improve the lives of children and youths and others through scholarships and many other programs as well.
“You also don’t have to be a veteran to join— we also have our Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion groups, too. Please feel free to stop by our post anytime to visit us.”