For Memorial Day, Kim Harter places 22 flags on the grave of her son, Noah Harter, to symbolize the number of veterans who commit suicide every day. Harter was a Marine veteran who suffered from PTSD after tours to both Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide in May 2015. Harter graduated early from Rampart High School so he could enter the Marines when he was 17 years old. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)
For Memorial Day, Kim Harter places 22 flags on the grave of her son, Noah Harter, to symbolize the number of veterans who commit suicide every day. Harter was a Marine veteran who suffered from PTSD after tours to both Iraq and Afghanistan committed suicide in May 2015. Harter graduated early from Rampart High School so he could enter the Marines when he was 17 years old. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Noah Harter and his best friend from childhood through adult years, Jacob Reece, pose while attending a track event in Colorado Springs. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Kim Harter has an inspirational sign hanging in her bedroom to help her with the grief of losing her son, Noah Harter. Noah Harter was a Marine veteran of both Iran and Afghanistan. He committed suicide in May 2015. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Kristina Harter and Noah Harter Photo Courtesy of Harter family (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Noah Harter had a great sense of humor. He makes a goofy face while posing with his father, Mark, and sister, Joanna. Photo courtesy of Harter family (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)An alcove that once held flowers, is now a memorial to Noah Harter at the home of Mark and Kim Harter. Noah Harter was a Marine veteran of both Iran and Afghanistan. He committed suicide in May 2015. His mother holds a photo pillow of Noah being a silly teenager with a stuffed Easter bunny. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)At four years old, Noah (right) plays like he’s a soldier with his sister Kristina. Photo Courtesy of Harter FamilyEvery year that he was home, Noah would put on a suit and take his mother to dinner for her birthday. They pose for a photo in 2014. Photo Courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah saluting at his USMC basic training graduation in San Diego (March 2008, he’s in the center) Photo Courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah spent a lot of time golfing after he left the Marine Corps. He poses with a putter in 2012. Photo Courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah with parents, Mark & Kim Harter, after graduating from USMC Basic Training in San Diego (March 2008) Photo Courtesy of Harter FamilyMarine Noah Harter in his dress uniform around 2008. Photo courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah after getting out of the Marines-Christmas 2013. He could play everything from rock to jazz to classical on his guitar. Photo Courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah Harter with his parents, Kim and Mark Harter, at his graduation from USMC recruit training in San Diego in 2008. Photo Courtesy of the Harter FamilyThe Harter family spent Christmas 2013 at a cabin up near Florissant. Noah Harter. Mother-Kim, sister-Kristina, sister-Joanna, and father, Mark (left to right) Photo courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah Harter would sometimes climb the incline twice a day. He poses at the base as a way to deal with his PTSD. Photo courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah Harter and his best military friend, Joe Inglis, in Afghanistan. Photo Courtesy of the Harter FamilyThis photo was taken just before Noah Harter went into the Marines, 6 months after he had signed up. Photo Courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah Harter (far left) with the 2/1 Marine Corps, 2nd Battalion in Iraq in 2009. Photo Courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah HarterNoah Harter on one of his tours in Afghanistan in 2011. Photo Courtesy of the Harter FamilyMarine Noah Harter on one of his tours in either Afghanistan or Iraq. Photo courtesy of Harter FamilyNoah Harter and his best friend in the military, Joe Iglis, poses after climbing the Manitou Incline. Photo courtesy of Harter FamilyMarine Noah Harter is photographed in front of a MRAP (Mine Resistent Ambush Protected) during a tour to Afghanistan in 2011. Photo courtesy of Harter FamilyTo help him cope with his PTSD, Noah Harter would sometimes climb the Manitou Incline twice a day. In 2015, Noah took his own life. His Marine boots, dog tags and hat are among his possessions that his parents have to remember him. They hold an enlargement of a photo of Noah at the base of the incline near where they hope to put a memorial bench. Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)To help cope with PTSD, Noah Harter would sometimes climb the Manitou Incline twice a day. In 2015, Noah took his own life. His Marine boots, dog tags and hat are among his possessions that his parents have to remember him. They hold an enlargement of a photo of Noah at the base of the incline near where they hope to put a memorial bench. Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)Kim Harter made a PTSD art project as a therapy to help her with her grief over the suicide of her son, Noah Harter. Noah was a Marine veteran with PTSD who committed suicide in 2015. Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette (JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE)When Noah Harter was unable to bring a guitar with him to Iraq, but he ordered a kit and built one. He taught the other soldiers how to play and left the guitar behind for others. Photo courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah Harter (middle) attends a Broncos game with his childhood best friend, Jacob Reece, and his sister Kristina Harter. Photo courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah started skiing when he was young and later became a snowboarder. Photo courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah Harter’s grave at Evergreen Cemetery. Photo courtesy of the Harter FamilyNoah Harter played wide receiver for the Rampart Rams. This photo was taken of him in 2007 when the Rams played the Coronado Cougars. Photo courtesy of the Harter Family
