Family mourns after local Marine falls to PTSD

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Nearly 10 percent of Americans will suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is a potentially deadly sickness that has claimed the lives of countless military members. It's most recent victim was a 32-year-old Marine veteran from Pender County.

James "Jimmy" Salvatore Kalitz disappeared August 27. He left a note saying he planned to hurt himself.

There was an extensive search for him until officials found his body August 31 in a wooden area near his home in Pender County.

Kalitz was a member of the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Jacksonville, NC.

"Some of these pictures really capture his personality," smiled his sister Michelle Kalitz, as she pointed to the dozens of pictures that showed the happy and joyful life her brother had before PTSD took over.

Kalitz held a memorial for her older brother Sunday to honor his life and spread awareness of PTSD.

"My brother was seven and a half years older than me," Kalitz said. "He was a great role model."

In 2001, James Kalitz enlisted in the Marine Corps, thinking it would change his life for the better.

"And then 9-11 happened and he thought this is my calling, I can help people, I can make a difference."

After four years of active duty overseas, James' life was changed, but not for the better.

"When my brother left he was so joyful, pleasant, and happy," his sister recalled. "When he came back he was closed off, didn't speak, and changed."

The family said it took 10 years for James to open up about what happened overseas.

"A lot of the situations he had to deal with were kill or be killed that involved women and children, and that was something he could never let go off," Kalitz said.

Michelle said depression and isolation were just a few things her brother dealt with on a daily basis.

"He could not do things normal people can do comfortably," Kalitz explained. "He was self-conscious of where he sat, how he traveled, and he didn't like to go places where there were a lot of people."

James lost his battle to PTSD at the end of August when he took his own life, but the message he left behind is something his sister is determined to share.

"I think he would want this event," she said. "A lot of other people are fighting this same battle, but there has to be something we can do."

Kalitz is survived by his father Harry, sister Michelle, and daughters Gianna, 11, and Kenzie, 5, and Kamryn, 9.

According to the Department of Veterans affairs, PTSD is not limited to just military members. About 5.2 million adults suffer from the sickness during any given year.

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