Episode 9 - Brian Gibson - Project Diehard

Today’s guest was in the Army for 26 years and had multiple deployments, including a deployment in support of Operation Desert Storm. During his time in service he spent time as a combat medic and a recruiter. He retired from active duty in 2016. He currently resides in Paducah, Kentucky, where on April 22, 2018, he founded Project Die Hard, whose stated goal is “To bring public awareness to veteran suicide and to assist veterans in coping with the stress and difficulties in transitioning from active duty military to civilian life.” Today we’re chatting with Brian Gibson.

https://projectdiehard.org

Aerial view of FOB Rush. A plot of land and buildings granted to Project Diehard. It is named after SSgt Courtney Rush, who took her own life.

SSgt Rush was an Air Force C-130 Crew Chief. On her last deployment in Qatar she was involved in transporting the caskets of fallen members that were killed in action. This was emotionally trying but a remarkably high honor duty she took very seriously. She unfortunately took her own life and died by a gunshot wound to her head on January 3, 2012, only 7 months after returning from Qatar. She was 27 years old.