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Katie's Story
Katie Gauthier was born in Ft. Pierce, FL on 3/19/85 & died by suicide on 1/25/08 at the age of 22.
From the age of 18, she dedicated her life to the United States Army; feeling like she had found her calling.
Around 2006 Katie got into an altercation with another female soldier. The unnamed female felt that she would "get back" at Katie by informing the higher ranking military personnel that Katie was indeed gay.
The fact remained that our government had a strict "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy however, that did not stop them from asking Katie if she was gay.
Her reply:
"Yes, I'm gay. That doesn't change who I am as a soldier or as a person."
She was honorably discharged from the Army because of her sexual preference.
Katie did everything that she could to get back into the Army. After writing a letter to Congress, they agreed to hear her side of the story.
Katie flew to Georgia & pled her case of why she deserves to be in the military as a gay woman. They informed her that she would receive a letter with their decision.
30 days later she received a letter that said "Homosexuality is not tolerated in the United States Military".
Devastation took over. She had already given so much to our country & felt that she had been thrown away.
Katie sunk into a very serious depression that resulted in her showing all of the warning signs that she may possibly take her own life. Her family wasn't educated enough to see the warning signs, until it was too late.
Suicide is preventable if you know what to look for & what to do once the signs are recognized.
Sincerely,
Kimberley Ward
President & CEO, Katie's Mission
Also, Katie's older sister...
