Many of you have likely heard by now that Tim Lutze of the NSN has passed away via an apparent suicide.

Though I had never personally met or spoken to Tim, as a fellow traveller in the "extremist" world, I sympathize greatly with his family, his children and friends he leaves behind.

This path is a very difficult one and we should be prepared to live life on hard mode, enduring attacks and abuse from every direction top to bottom for the rest of our lives.

Very few have the courage to accept and carry this burden openly and as leaders, they have a responsibility to remain steadfast for the sake of the men following them which increases the weight considerably.

To his friends, comrades and brothers: fight the temptation to blame yourselves and ruminate on what "should have" or "could have" been done. It's not your fault.

We can't be with each other 24/7. What goes on inside a man's head only he can contend with. We must help and lean on each other when we need to but ultimately, our individual paths are ours to walk. Often times the warning signs are faint or non existent - especially in those who accept the burden of leadership and thus, sacrifice the luxury of being seen to bleed.

Nevertheless, this world is designed with the intent to rub out the white man and we all need a peer to be human with. There is no shame in hitting the "time-out" button when you feel overwhelmed. We would all much rather carry you up the hill on our backs than bury you at the foot of it.

I have known this anguish and torment well since my time in the Army and have lost many good friends and tougher men than I am to this same affliction. This is a risk we take and men like Tim who sacrificed their peace, health, sanity and ultimately their lives for what they believe in should not be remembered for how they died but instead for all that they did for us while they were here - so that someone else wouldn't have to.

He's a hero.

His family and friends have our heartfelt condolences. May they have justice in this life yet.