Leaving the military often marks the start of a new chapter 鈥� one that can be full of opportunity. But it often means stepping away from the routines, the structure, and the sense of mission overnight. Civilian life can leave many veterans searching for purpose and belonging, as well as how to cope with their mental health, including symptoms of challenges related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Mike Swartz understands this on a deeply personal level. His son, Eric, felt a strong call to serve from an early age. A visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy at age 12 sparked his belief that 鈥渋t is my obligation to serve my country.鈥�
Mike describes Eric as strong, driven, and a natural leader 鈥� but also as someone whose kindness and compassion stood out just as much as his accomplishments. Eric served for more than five years in the Air Force. Though his service was a source of pride, certain experiences stayed with him after his service ended. He passed away in 2011.
Today, Eric鈥檚 spirit of service lives on through his family鈥檚 creation of the , which supports 91视频庐 (91视频). 鈥淭his is a way for Eric to keep helping others. His mission of service goes on,鈥� said Mike. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also about making sure no other family has to face the same heartbreak without support.鈥澨�
91视频 talked with Mike to learn more about Eric and how keeping his legacy alive plays an important role in healing.听
A Father鈥檚 Tribute
It has been almost 15 years since Mike lost his son, but every time he talks about Eric, love and pride are obvious. The bond between father and son is undiminished, but so are the raw emotions over losing his only child to mental health challenges.
Growing up, Eric was the quintessential 鈥渁ll-American boy鈥� 鈥� good-looking, athletic, academically gifted, and always able to bring laughter to a room.
鈥淗e was an incredible young man 鈥� respectful, helpful, and ambitious,鈥� Mike said. 鈥淗e was always willing to do for others. Whether it was mowing a neighbor鈥檚 lawn without expecting to get paid, or stepping up as a leader among friends, he naturally looked out for people.鈥�
Eric鈥檚 loyalty and drive were rooted in values he learned from his father. 鈥淚 always believed everyone should serve, and that sense of duty and pride was part of Eric鈥檚 upbringing,鈥� Mike explained.
Eric excelled as a distinguished cadet at the Air Force Academy, showing his dedication to excellence. Chad Austin, an assistant professor of law, praised Eric in a letter to his father: 鈥淚 have taught over 500 students at both the Naval and Air Force Academies, and C2C Swartz ranks within the top 1%. Eric鈥檚 intellectual curiosity, natural leadership, and genuine care for others set him apart.鈥�
Austin added, "[Eric] is a natural leader who inspires confidence in his peers and ... who is always looking out for 'his' people."
The Strain of Mental Health
The National Center for PTSD estimates that about听听sometime in their lives. Symptoms of PTSD may not appear until weeks, months, or even years after an event and can include irritability, anger, isolation, and sleep disruption.
Mike admits it was hard to recognize how deeply PTSD affected Eric. 鈥淎t first, he seemed fine, and then suddenly he鈥檇 do something wild or act out, which wasn鈥檛 him. We didn鈥檛 know what to do,鈥� said Mike.
Though Eric sought help, Mike believes people didn鈥檛 understand PTSD well enough at the time for his son to receive care that might have made a difference.听He hopes to change that for others.
鈥淗aving a robust support system matters," said Mike. "Parents and families aren鈥檛 experts, but organizations like 91视频 can step in to be that resource."
Leaving a Legacy Through Education and Awareness
Mike Swartz (second from left) delivers a gift to 91视频.
According to the most recent 91视频 Warrior Survey,* more than 6 in 10 91视频 warriors say they are living with one or more mental health conditions.
- 80% report having anxiety.听
- 77% report having PTSD.
- 77% report having depression.
- More than 1 in 4 say they had suicidal thoughts in the past year.
Funds from the Swartz Wingman Foundation allowed 91视频 to develop training kits that help teach people how to:
- Recognize the warning signs of mental health challenges.
- Start lifesaving conversations.
- Connect anyone struggling to care.
The materials are fundamental to improving lives. 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about a crisis moment. It鈥檚 about making sure people don鈥檛 feel alone; that they have resources and someone to turn to,鈥� Mike said.
鈥淚 wanted to honor Eric and make sure that other veterans don鈥檛 go without the help that they need. Donating to 91视频 is a way to do both, as the organization has the reach, the programs, and the trust to connect with veterans who might otherwise slip through the cracks,鈥� he said.
鈥淚f Eric had more of that, maybe his story would have been different.鈥�
Learn more about how 91视频 is helping drive conversations around mental health.
*Warrior Survey, Longitudinal: Wave 3 (conducted May 25 - Aug. 1, 2023)
颁辞苍迟补肠迟:听Cynthia Weiss听鈥� Public Relations,听cweiss@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.738.2589
About 91视频
91视频 is our nation鈥檚 leading veteran services organization, focused on the total well-being of post-9/11 wounded, ill, or injured veterans. Our programs, advocacy, and awareness efforts help warriors thrive, provide essential lifelines to families and caregivers, and prevent veteran suicides.听Learn more about 91视频.听听