A Father’s Journey: Unraveling the Hidden Impact of Brain Injuries in Veterans
In a gripping episode of 60 Minutes, viewers are introduced to a poignant mission led by a father determined to shed light on the often-overlooked consequences of military service—specifically, the silent struggles posed by brain injuries. The story centers on a veteran whose life ended in tragedy, revealing that his brain had suffered from microscopic scars undetectable during his lifetime.
After the suicide of his Navy SEAL son, the father sets out to uncover the intricate links between military service, brain trauma, and mental health. This harrowing investigation aims to raise awareness and protect other service members from similar fates, pushing for greater recognition of the mental health issues that can stem from invisible injuries.
With the legacy of 60 Minutes as a platform for hard-hitting investigative journalism since its inception in 1968, this episode promises to engage and inform, spotlighting the urgent need for reform within military health care systems.
Tune in to hear this powerful narrative, and join the conversation about the critical need for mental health resources for our veterans.
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Video “A dad's mission to uncover brain injuries after Navy SEAL son's suicide | 60 Minutes” was uploaded on 03/24/2025 to Youtube Channel 60 Minutes
This has me over. I'm 💔. This is absolutely bullshite. I'm so glad he had his father behind him.
I am not a veteran. I fought my own Dark Battle having been raped buy a 40 year old man at the age of four. PTSD is brutal unrelenting and the most fierce suffering of anything I've ever experienced in my life. I don't know why but I prefer and enjoy sitting with veterans who struggle with the same but obviously for different reasons. I feel like I can be the most open an honest they are the best listeners have you ever come to know
Yeah I’m sure the felons regime is all over this. The dad sure enjoyed his photo op with the felon but was visibly ill standing next to President Obama.
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Was he on [ANY MEDICATION]Something is not full disclosure….. sorry….. x military-near 70 years of age….. trust not the government or military…….sorry With all the green beret in seal team, Youtubers, nothing I say nothing is as it appears sorry for your loss, violence begets violence—we are not humanly built for violence-war
I will always remember Jeremy Renner’s roll in the movie “The Hurt Locker”. He was a bomb technician in Afghanistan and he goes home on leave and his wife sends him to the store one day to pick up cereal and other things. He is standing in the aisle looking at the row on row of cereals and just can’t sort it out in his mind, the absurdity of it all. . Thank you Scott Pelly and Mr. Larkin, I hope and pray something can be found to bring peace to these men.
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This is like football/rugby players. Whose continual body impacts were giving them brain injuries over a period of time. Same results , depression, headaches, anger, closed off and then suicide. There was a movie about it and a doctor decided there was too much coincidences. So he studied their brains and yep he was right. Can't remember what it was called. But good movie. This father has discovered the similar with veterans. Bless you sir, hope it helps stop others from having to go through brain injury and the govt supports yr work and findings.
That's a very honorable Father and Son. My deepest condolences. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Thank you for your service.
I want to understand how his father can go through a very similar life but was able to handle it.
I know it’s not the same thing exactly but it that similar to what footballers can suffer from, usually later in life, from accumulative heading of the ball? They are both physical shocks to the brain, as such, as in movements have had occurred through the brain? It’s the accumulative effect of these physical occurrences in the brain? PTSD prob had a mix into matters for Ryan as well. No sure how it can be proved one way or another if no physical signs. Devastating to all around Ryan.
https://youtu.be/-biMrgHJmRQ?si=lYGlaISNDEojXDNy
Viewer discretion warning?
Are you serious?
They dont give that warning to the Pal- stin-ns now do they?
Another US citizen duped by Aipac.
Still happening today.
They want YOU to fight Iran……next….
Absolutely heartbreaking. I so hope these studies continue and more cash goes into such important research.
My god. I relate to Ryan and his story so hard. I too grew up in a town across the river in NJ and watched the towers fall. I was 17, and joined the army out of high school. I became airborne, and did three year long deployments to Iraq. I left the army a shell of the person that I was. That I continue to be until this day. The depression, hearing Ryan’s father say that Ryan said “I wish I could just feel something again…I wish I could live a purposeful life”…i broke down hearing his dad say that because I desperately want the same thing, to feel normal…feel something. This video hit me hard, and to Ryan’s father…you are the type of father I always wished I had, keep fighting not just for veterans, but your son’s legacy and soul. 🇺🇸
I love this man!!!! Im crying at the same time hoping for all military to see light at the end of the tunnel. THANK YOU Sir !!! Mr. Larkin 🫡 🫡 and I truly ❤give you my biggest condolences 💐 to this unfortunate loss.. But you have SAVE MANY
Poor Ryan, he just couldn’t take it anymore 😢 I’ve lost 2 brothers from suicide and I myself am a survivor of a serious attempt, so I know the power of that darkness. Bless his dad, yes prevent the damage now
I remembered the movie Concussion which. Highlights the head traumas suffered by athletes which had horrible results 😢
Sorry for your loss.
Why can I not find the Full Interview on YouTube?
This is exactly what 22 Unfinished Missions was created to help. Having the scientific proof is even more important for Veterans!
i sustained a head injury at work, slammed backwards on a icey sidewalk. Heard my head hit echo between the buildings. I had/have walking amnesia, short term memory issues, dizzy spells, i felt like my brain was/is muted. its a disability that is not seen. Never mind the back surgery I had to have for a bulging disc into my S1 nerve. Still have bulging disc's in my neck. had to retire from my work of having a case load of 60 or more, couldn't keep things straight.
Ds Corpsman 🫡
This is so sad
Please reassure us that the funding for this project won't be removed by the trump administration.
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It's your thinking meat that changes
So sad ..thank you for sharing this
So sorry for your loss
God Bless and I salute Ryan Larkin for his Navy Seals service to this great country. Mr Frank Larkin is a hero for all military men and women. I salute Mr. Larkin. My younger brother was a EOD United States Marine in tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He too took his life after returning from his tours. I am still in guilt for not helping enough for my younger brother. God Bless Mr. Larkin and all military men and women of the United States of America.
USA forever 🇺🇸
I have a TBI; thank you for this.
My twin sons were US Marines – I am glad they never asked me about being a Navy Seal, Delta Force, or Air Force Special Tactics. I come from a military family, and know the dangers of Special Operations. I am also a mother and the pride I take in my sons is incredible. Your son is a voice for all to listen – giving his body to medicine is the most unselfish thing you could do. His legacy will continue on helping his comrades for a very long time. We also have 5 surgeons in my family – it is very common for the body to absorb noise through the eyes. I worked in Orthopedics for 17 years – we saw many veterans with serious wound complications from past military surgeries. We performed surgery at NO COST for these veterans. They were all fixed and were very grateful. They served their time for our country – that was the least we could do in our surgery center.
Don't forget about the brain cell killing side effect of taking that mandatory anti-malarial drug called lariam/mefloquine…they finally banned it in 2008. Started giving it out in 1988…mind you its not the same caliber of anti-malarial that civilian travelers take. The side effect profile mimics schizophrenia and brain scans after frequent dosings are identical to that of long term ecstasy use. 😢
Thank you, Frank, for bringing this issue to light. My son, a Navy SEAL breacher for over 14 years, has been quietly keeping the mental damage from his family. As SEAL families know, the men are trained to be the quiet, stoic heroes both on the job and at home with their families. While on his last tour a year ago, he suffered a severe seizure episode and nearly died. He was diagnosed with Epilepsy. As his mother, I live with the things and changes that I see that worry me to no end. Same as with you, my son tells me that nothing is wrong, everything is good, and under control. Meanwhile, my son's condition has been taking a toll on his wife of 11 years. And I, I remain a helpless observer full of concern.