I recently came across a photo from Comic Con—one of those celebrity photo ops you pay for.

I got to meet Jason David Frank. Tommy. The Green Ranger. The White Ranger. (I think he even became the Red Ranger in one of the later series.) This guy was one of my childhood inspirations. I wanted to study martial arts because of him—and because of The Karate Kid.

I didn’t get into martial arts until my 20s, but by the time I met him, I was 15 years into my journey. It was a big moment. I was starstruck and totally tongue-tied—especially after he complimented my back stance. That meant a lot.

Life had gotten busy, and Comic Con had kind of lost its luster. But I always told myself I’d go back if Jason David Frank ever made another appearance.

He never did.

Jason David Frank took his own life in 2022.

Finding that photo made me want to write this post. Around the same time, I saw a video from Habitual Line Crosser. He was talking about the epidemic of military and veteran suicide. At one point, he pulled out the full military “knife hand” and said, very seriously:

“Don’t do the enemy a fucking favor!”

He put it that way to get the point across to military types. And while I never served the sentiment stuck with me.

That line wasn’t just for vets. It’s something that anyone might need to hear. I know I did.

I’ll never get the chance to tell Jason Frank what his influence meant to me. But maybe this post will help someone else instead.

So if you’re in that dark place right now, please hear me:

DON’T DO THE ENEMY A FUCKING FAVOR.

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

If you’re wrestling with those thoughts, reach out. Please.

988 is the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Call or text anytime.

You matter. You’re not alone.