WIS News 10 - Columbia, South Carolina | Retired Lexington Army col. recalled to combat suicide rate in Iraq

Retired Lexington Army col. recalled to combat suicide rate in Iraq

(Columbia-AP) July 18, 2004 - Lexington psychiatrist Charles Ham thought he retired from the Army seven years ago. But, he recently got a call telling him to report to Fort Jackson for a physical examination.

Ham knew more than 5000 veterans who recently left the service were being called up, but he had been in the Army for 41 years and is now 67.

But, he also is a psychiatrist, and that is what the Army needs to help combat a high suicide rate among troops in Iraq.

The suicide rate in Iraq was 17.3 per 100,000 soldiers. That compares with 12.8 for the Army overall.

Army spokeswoman Andrea Wales said the retired colonel is subject to recall because he is an officer. There is no age limit for officers to serve, she said.

Posted 5:55pm by Eva Pilgrim