CLARKSVILLE, Tennessee — Steven Elliott, one of two men considered to have most likely killed NFL player turned Army Ranger Pat Tillman by friendly fire in 2004, told a gathering in Clarksville Wednesday that veterans with trauma need help.
Elliott told a crowd of a few hundred people at the Old Glory Distilling Company that what happened 15 years ago turned him into a functioning alcoholic and caused him to divorce his wife — whom he later remarried.
Elliott later learned he has a purpose, one he said is emboldened by service.
And Elliott said serving is what prompted him to speak in Clarksville on the day of this year’s 9-11 observances.
“I largely came here because of this area’s connection with REBOOT Combat Recovery and the amazing work they have done helping those who have suffered because of war,” Elliott told The Tennessee Star.
Elliott authored a book titled War Story, about his PTSD after Tillman’s death and his struggle to stay alive.
“We are losing conservatively, 20 plus veterans a day. I want to see change. That is one of the reasons why I wrote the book, to highlight my story going to war and coming home and highlighting that trauma. It’s not unique,” Elliott said.
“People are dealing with that all over the nation, whether they have been in uniform or not. Whether it is military trauma, whether it is sexual abuse, you name it. I’d love to see policymakers get on board with that in a big way, but if we wait around for that then the death toll is just going to climb.”
According to REBOOT’s website, the organization helps veterans, first responders and their families “heal from the moral and spiritual wounds associated with service-related trauma.”
Members of the group use what they describe as trauma healing courses with Christian faith-based support.
REBOOT Recovery is headquartered near Fort Campbell, KY.
– – –
Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
