My name is Kacey Eppinette. I was married to Chad Eppinette for 10 years.
We met in high-school and were together from age 15 until 27. We were high-school sweethearts. If someone heard my name it was always associated with Chad’s. Or vice versa.
When he got out of highschool I took my GED because I didn’t want him to leave me behind so I got out of school too. We married less than a year out high-school and got our own place. Chad served in the National Guard for a year before he decided to join active duty in 2002. I got pregnant less than a year after we got married and we moved to Ft. Stewart Georgia where he was stationed.
6 weeks after our son was born August 2nd 2002, he was deployed to Kuwait then to Iraq. He served 6 months and was sent home because he was shot and wounded by a sniper, so he came home early. We lived life and things were good. Like all couples we had our ups and downs but we were happy. After almost a year at home his unit redeployed back to Iraq where he served a year. Chad returned and decided that he would get out because the risk of him going back to war was too great. Him being gone was so hard on our family.
Chad was service connected for TBI and PTSD, along with afew other medical problems. But we had bought us a house and were in a good neighborhood and our son was in a good school and things were good. Until he was home longer, the longer he was home the worse things got. He wasn’t the man I married, he was empty. Our lives were filled with sleepless night and dreams, and roles were reversed in our household. I worked a 40 hour a week job and took care of all responsibilities and he stayed at home almost hopeless. In July 2011 he gave up his fight with PTSD that he had battled for 6 years. Our son was 8 and it was 2 weeks before his 9th birthday. I miss him every single day. Thing don’t get easier, you just learn how to deal and move on. I want his name remembered and honored. He is hero.
We were high-school sweethearts. If someone heard my name it was always associated with Chad’s. Or vice versa.
A Short Story of Our Life
My name is Kacey Eppinette. I was married to Chad Eppinette for 10 years.
We met in high-school and were together from age 15 until 27. We were high-school sweethearts. If someone heard my name it was always associated with Chad’s. Or vice versa.
When he got out of highschool I took my GED because I didn’t want him to leave me behind so I got out of school too. We married less than a year out high-school and got our own place. Chad served in the National Guard for a year before he decided to join active duty in 2002. I got pregnant less than a year after we got married and we moved to Ft. Stewart Georgia where he was stationed.
6 weeks after our son was born August 2nd 2002, he was deployed to Kuwait then to Iraq. He served 6 months and was sent home because he was shot and wounded by a sniper, so he came home early. We lived life and things were good. Like all couples we had our ups and downs but we were happy. After almost a year at home his unit redeployed back to Iraq where he served a year. Chad returned and decided that he would get out because the risk of him going back to war was too great. Him being gone was so hard on our family.
Chad was service connected for TBI and PTSD, along with afew other medical problems. But we had bought us a house and were in a good neighborhood and our son was in a good school and things were good. Until he was home longer, the longer he was home the worse things got. He wasn’t the man I married, he was empty. Our lives were filled with sleepless night and dreams, and roles were reversed in our household. I worked a 40 hour a week job and took care of all responsibilities and he stayed at home almost hopeless. In July 2011 he gave up his fight with PTSD that he had battled for 6 years. Our son was 8 and it was 2 weeks before his 9th birthday. I miss him every single day. Thing don’t get easier, you just learn how to deal and move on. I want his name remembered and honored. He is hero.
9 thoughts on “A Short Story of Our Life”
Comments are closed.
sorry to hear about your husband,it makes me so sad to hear this story……my granddaughter also has ptsd but has never been to war.we live thought it every day…she will not talk to any doctors about it and will not take med’s for it so we go one day at a time…
please keep shareing your story it may help some one who needs it.
thank you.
p.s. my dad and uncle both served in the war world war 2
Kacey,
My heart goes out to you. I’m so proud that you are still proud of your Soldier and that you shared your story. You just never know and you never know who’s life may be changed by reading and learning more. I hope peace fills the rest of your day and you and your children can carry on..strong in heart and filled with good memories.
Sending hugs across the miles…
i totally know how you feel my husband also committed suicide july 2011 we have two sons they were 3 and 7 at time. I am here if you need to talk. god bless you and your family.
Jennifer I am just now seeing these replies. I am sorry about your husband. If you read this and would like to get in touch please do, http://www.facebook.com/kacey.eppinette and my email is kaceyeppipnette@gmail.com
<3
My husabnd died of suicide due to PTSD. My children were 9, 15 and 19. You are correct, you learn to live each day with what happened. Allow yourself the time to change and grieve. This will change you, but allow it to. It is impossible not to or you too will live a life controlled by PTSD. The pain will not always be as intense. The sharp edges will soften. But you will never forget, and that is what we want…is to never forget and make sure they are remembered for the wonderful people they were.
Dear Kacey, Our condolences on your lost, and our best hopes for you and your son as you continue on life’s journey.
High Ground has put together an online photo album honoring our nation’s military veterans for Veterans’ Day on our Facebook page. We would be happy to run your husband’s photo along with a description, and we can even link to this story.
We would be glad to post photos from anyone of the widows who have posted on this thread. Just message them to us on our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/highgroundmovie
He is a hero!! <3 Just because he didn't die in battle it doesn't mean he didn't do the ultimate sacrifice, in different and challenging ways. My heart goes out to you.
I was very upset to here about chad. I am sorry for your loss. I knew chad when he worked at Diamond. We would share experiences we had while we were deployed although we were in seperate combat zones at nearly the same time. We share the last name but if related it is distant. I would wonder in and get some technical advise and he was always willing to help. He built my rifle for me specific to my needs and through the process we both learned to smile a little bit again. He and I share more than last names. PTSD and TBI are debilitating. The meds keep you in a fog and the depression is worse than any of it. I can’t image what it’s been like for you and yours but my family can relate to some of the things you have had to deal with. If you need anything you can IM me on Facebook. Keeping you and yours in my prayers.
Jennifer I am just now seeing these replies. I am sorry about your husband. If you read this and would like to get in touch please do, http://www.facebook.com/kacey.eppinette and my email is kaceyeppipnette@gmail.com
<3