Steven Bates

Steven Bates' connection to the Air Force and the military has been life long. He is the son of a retired Chief Master Sergeant and a retired Federal civilian employee. He later went on to serve in the Air Force himself. Serving others has been predominant goal in his life. He has the unique perspectives as a child of the military, a member of the military and civilian police forces, and now a veteran of those services.

Steven Bates has been writing poetry for years. He has always wanted to leave something for his children, while at the same time wanting to help and inspire others. He desires to help others to not feel alone in their struggles with depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. Steven's sense of humor helps to lighten some of the difficult topics. As a suicide attempt survivor and a sufferer of PTSD, Steven writes his poetry from a unique perspective in hopes that he can let others know that they can survive through the struggles, thrive in life, find resources and coping skills and know that people do care about them 24/7.