Letter: Stories on Teetsell's Army record draw complaints

The following letters were written in response to our news coverage of Brenden Teetsell, a U.S. Army specialist who died Feb. 7 in Mannheim, Germany. The news itself was hard to bear — a beloved former student at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts who died in service of his country. That news rightly belonged on the front page — and so did the news that came to light only after the first story was published.

Stories about Teetsell's apparent fabrications regarding his military service were reported and edited with great care and sensitivity. No disrespect was intended to him or his family by sharing the truth about the manner of his death and the stories he told while still alive. As one veteran wrote to us, "Just as it is said, 'Do not let an untruth stand,' you had to do your duty, too."

- Len La Barth, Editor

Don't publish the 'horrible facts'

This letter is regarding the Feb. 16 article about Brenden Teetsell ("Army: Soldier's story doesn't add up"). I believe the Appeal-Democrat should be completely ashamed for the story they published about him.

Yes, he may have lied and what he did may have been wrong, but was it necessary to say what was said about this poor guy? And the details about his death? Who gave anyone the right to publish such horrible facts about a man who took his own life? When you publish an obituary, you leave out cause of death as you should have here.

I hope everyone who had a part in this article feels ashamed knowing they put a poor man who only wished to be liked to shame. He died; was that not enough bad news? I can only imagine how his poor family feels after losing him and then having the local paper feel the need to bash him and his name for telling untrue things.

It's not as if he asked people for money! He just attempted to make his family proud; I see no real harm in that. Perhaps the poor guy was battling a few demons; we all know we have. I'm ashamed I live in a town where people would think it was OK to write an article in that length with nothing but bad things to say about someone after their death.

Brittany Audas

Yuba City

Story insensitive to family, friends

A great number of people in my past have been in the service and, now, many close friends of mine from my years at Marysville Charter Academy for the Arts are stepping forward to put themselves on the line for their country. My first real boyfriend, the kid I looked up to in creative writing, the boy I sat across the room from in Mrs. Kovell's English class and the booming personality I admired on the stage. Brenden Teetsell was an amazing actor and, though two years ahead of me in class, he managed to share a smile and ask me how I was doing every time I saw him.

I found the article "Army: Soldier's story doesn't add up" to be insensitive to those who are still mourning Brenden's death. While I do not condone his lying, I must say it is understandable. Brenden wove a story for those back home, just as he did on stage, and though he wasn't a captain (yet), that's not the point.

I respect the fact he served our country. He didn't stay home, or go and let himself be overtaken by the plague that seems to sweep students of our county — staying home and doing nothing. He lied to us, but that doesn't change the fact the article was released prior to his (memorial) services, and (it) leaves me feeling angered and hurt that someone would attack him so soon after.

Yes, the article should have been published to clear up the issue with the Purple Heart, but why use him as an example now? Bad form.

Dayna Kennedy

Marysville

Teetsell's talent unquestioned

I knew Brenden Teetsell on somewhat of a personal level, and I was able to attend his memorial service. A number of things remain unresolved with his passing.

I have more than 36 years of experience with performing arts, and I can definitively agree with Mr. Hechtman that he was an A-plus performing artist. He was also extremely intelligent (finished his high school program in his early teens), which was evident to anyone who spoke with him. Brenden could've written an unbelievably successful ticket in civilian life — the "sky was truly the limit" for this young man.

He was a volunteer in the U.S. Army, and according to Pastor Clark, he could have left the service due to an injury. It remains a challenging question as to why he would join and remain in the Army if he were not committed to an altruistic goal to some great degree (particularly in light of how successful he could've been in civilian life).

The conflicts in his story are not lost on the present writer, but they should be an addendum to the core of his story. He spent two years of his life in service to his country, and unfortunately we will never know the great heights that this young man would've traversed in the U.S. military, in his spiritual life or in his civilian life.

Andre LaBouyer

Yuba City

Don't dig into 'minor issues'

A resounding thumbs down to the Appeal-Democrat editor who OK'd the multiple stories regarding the recent death of Brenden Andrew Teetsell.

I did not know Brenden, his family or friends, and whatever discrepancies exist in regards to his military record did not deserve the front-page attention of our local newspaper. I have to ask Howard Yune who wrote Monday's article ("A tribute to soldiers," Feb. 18), how he would feel if the tables were turned and it was his loved one who was receiving all this attention from the Appeal-Democrat.

I think the answer is clear: When people are suffering the loss of a loved one, maybe it's not necessary to dig so deeply into minor issues. To Brenden's family, I'm truly sorry for your loss and words cannot tell you how much I appreciated his service to our country. And to the Appeal-Democrat, I hope in the future you'll place articles on the front page that belong there.

Jim Holt

Yuba City