My son, John – Janos Victor Lutz is the reason this page came to be.
US Marine Lance Corporal Janos Victor Lutz, born May of 1988, in Hallandale, Florida. Beloved son of Janine and John Lutz; beloved brother of Justin; father to his service dog, Kobe.
Johnny’s interest in the military started early. He began shooting with his mom at the young age of 10. The events of 9/11 affected him greatly and he made a decision then that he wanted to fight the Global War on Terror. When Johnny was a freshman, at Western High School, he joined ROTC and was awarded as a sharp shooter.
Johnny would graduate from Western High School in 2006 and enlist in the Marine Corps at the age of 18. After graduating from boot camp at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Johnny was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 8th Marines Regiment. Johnny’s five year career in the U.S. Marine Corps include tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a Machine Gunner. Echo Company engaged in some of the fiercest combat behind enemy lines in Helmand Province, Afghanistan during Operation Khanjar, also known as Operation Strike of the Sword. The summer of2009, John would lose 14 brothers in Afghanistan.
Lance Corporal Lutz’s awards and commendations include: Nato Medal ISAF Afghanistan (x2); Navy Unit Commendation; National Defense Service Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x2); Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Combat Action Ribbon; Rifle Qualification Expert; Good Conduct Medal; Presidential Unit Citation; and Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Gray Belt.
Although John would return home safely, he was diagnosed with severe PTSD and TBI. He was never treated for his TBI. He was medically retired in November 2011. John was profoundly impacted by the war in Afghanistan and his time spent in the combat zone. He sought help from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
After being prescribed Klonopin in June 2010, one week later John made his first suicide attempt. The warning and side effect listed with this drug: suicidal ideations. The VA published a report in 2010 that states do not treat severe PTSD with Benzodiazepines as it could cause suicide. Klonopin is a Benzo.
On January 4, 2013 and January 11, 2013, John told multiple doctors at the Ft Lauderdale VA he had his mother lock up guns and his meds, because he had thoughts of self-harm, and she would dispense his pills as needed. Ignoring John’s comments and their own notations in John’s medical records that stated, “never prescribe Klonopin” and “only one week supply of morphine at a time” due to his prior attempt of suicide, sent him home with fourteen Klonopin and ninety Morphine pills. On January 12, John took his life. He was 24 years old.
My son went to the VA crying out for help to multiple doctors. I know this because it is written in his medical records. How many more families have they killed with their prescribing practices? The VA must be held accountable!
Yes my son was diagnosed with sever PTSD but it’s the VA prescribing practices that KILLED MY SON.
We have to as a nation stop this epidemic, “suicide.” I believe the VA’s prescribing such powerful psychotropic drugs is adding to this epidemic. WE NEED CHANGE NOW!
We the People, “Must Fight For Those Who Fought Us.”
Together we can ~MoAB
Lance Cpl Janos V Lutz PTS Memorial Wall honors all veterans who died by suicide:
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I so want to help make a difference and help and support for all of our fallen heroes and those still fighting and living with PTSD, so that none of them will ever be forgotten, I nee all of the information I can get my hands on.
I don’t know you or your son. Thank you for his service do my kids don’t know what in the USA