“There Are 17 Marines Who Are Amputees Fighting In Iraq”
U.S. Marine Cpl. Garrett Jones was re-deployed just a year after losing his left leg to a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq as an infantry fighter. In previous wars, Jones would have received a medical discharge and returned to civilian life. But the Pentagon has made it possible for Marines who’d like to return to the front lines, to return.
Joseph Kinney | July 24, 2008:
Thirty-nine years ago I was shot in an ambush while a Marine on a night
patrol in Vietnam. I had potentially fatal wounds to my chest and a
serious wound to my right leg. To put matters bluntly, I had never been
more terrified in my life. Would I die? And if I died, would I go to
heaven? I also thought about the buddies I was leaving behind. Somehow, I
wanted to believe that they would be better off without me to slow them
down.
The next morning I woke up at a hospital in Da Nang. The doctors told me
that my days as a fighting Marine were over. Somehow, I felt that I had
more to give but wouldn’t get the chance.
My history is relevant only because there are huge differences between
then and now when it comes to our Wounded Warriors. For the past couple of
years I have had the privilege of knowing Col. Jack Cox (USA, ret.) who is
a stalwart in the Wounded Warrior Program at Fort Bragg. He has been a
great friend and mentor, and has taken the time to introduce me to some of
this generation’s wounded.
There are at least two important differences between my generation and the
young men I have seen at Fort Bragg’s Womack Hospital which is near where
I live.
For openers, the Army acts as if the wounded person is going to remain
forever a soldier. That is their basic operating assumption moving
forward.
Second, the attitude of these kids is amazing. These brave warriors, no
matter how badly wounded they are, believe that they will soon be back
with their units fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan.
Today, there are 17 Marines who are amputees fighting in Iraq. I am
certain that there are as many soldiers doing the same for the Army.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Garrett Jones says he couldn’t bear the thought of not deploying with close friends in his unit after he learned last fall that they would be sent to Afghanistan. He also wanted to pave a path for other amputees.
Recently, I received a widely distributed email from Col (Dr.) Brett
Wyrick. He was a trauma surgeon at Balad Air Base in Iraq.
He wrote: “If I ever hear (anyone) griping and complaining, I jump into
them pretty quickly, now. Most people over here have nothing to gripe
about compared to Marines. Marines are different. They have a different
outlook on life . .
“One Marine Private was here for several days because he was a lower
priority evacuation patient. He insisted on coming to attention and
displaying proper military courtesy every morning when I came through on
rounds. He was in a great deal of pain, and it was a stressful to watch
him work his way off the bed and onto his crutches. I told him he was
excused and did not have to come to attention while he was a patient, and
he informed me he was a good Marine and would address ‘. . . Air Force
colonels standing on my feet, sir.’ I had to turn away so he would not see
the tear in my eye. He did not have ‘feet’ because we amputated his right
leg below the knee on the first night he came in.
“I asked a Marine Lance Corporal if there was anything I could get him as
I was making rounds one morning. He was an above the knee amputation after
an IED blast, and he surprised me when he asked for a trigonometry book.
‘You enjoy math do you?’ He replied, ‘Not particularly, sir. I was never
good at it, but I need to get good at it, now.’ ‘Are you planning on going
back to school?’ I asked. ‘No sir, I am planning on shooting artillery. I
will slow an infantry platoon down with just one good leg, but I am going
to get good at math and learn how to shoot artillery.’ I hope he does.
“I had the sad duty of standing over a young Marine sergeant when he
recovered from anesthesia. Despite our best efforts there was just no way
to save his left arm, and it had to come off just below the elbow. ‘Can I
have my arm back, sir?’ he asked. ‘No, we had to cut it off, we cannot
re-attach it,’ I said. ‘But can I have my arm?’ he asked again. ‘You see,
we had to cut it off.’ He interrupted, ‘I know you had to cut it off, but
I want it back. It must be in a bag or something, sir.’ ‘Why do you want it?’
I asked. ‘I am going to have it stuffed and use it as a club when I get
back to my unit.’ I must have looked shocked because he tried to comfort
me, ‘Don’t you worry now, colonel. You did a fine job, and I hardly hurt
at all; besides I write with my other hand anyway.’
Now, please tell me that these young guys aren’t the Greatest Generation
that has ever lived.
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The BEST of the Best of the Best.
Visiting this site is often a humbling yet inspiring experience.
September 21st, 2008 at 4:09 amA fitting Sunday morning read, Pat.
Thanks.
September 21st, 2008 at 4:53 amsemper fi
September 21st, 2008 at 5:02 am…We proud few who have suffered many great hardships so that the many back home live FREE from Tyranny…..
September 21st, 2008 at 5:17 amWell said Steve.
September 21st, 2008 at 5:19 amThis is amazing for so many reasons. Plus, the liberals won’t be able to comprehend…
September 21st, 2008 at 5:25 amWith that kind of men, the USA can win everything, be strong is not enough, one need to have a strong faith too.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:07 amA wonderful example of bravery and honor.
God bless them.
Cpl. Jones and men like him are the true heroes of American. And they would be the first to deny the fact they are heroes.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:28 amBaseball, football, basketball, ice hockey, race-car drivers, swimmers, golfers, and any and all sports figures are not the heroes of the U.S. Men like Cpl. Jones are. They serve the nation, suffer bad injuries, yet through the grace of God, they are able to stay in the military and then they want to go back to Iraq or A-Stan to protect the nation. We should be so proud of people like this who come from the best we have to offer as a nation. This is why we will prevail in this war and why we are safe day and night.
Cheers Cpl. Jones
i remember in viet nam we had a guy with a bad ingrown toe nail.. he had to go to the ‘mash’ unit to have it fixed.. we went back the next day to pick him up.. he limped out and said he didn’t get it fixed as the doc’s were busy all day and nite with amputations and for us to come back the next day.. so we did,, he limps out again and climbs in the jeep.. we asked if he got it fixed OK?? he says “NO,, they were toooo busy again and the guy in the bunk next to me just had his legs amputated and so i decided i can live with this pain and fix it myself”
September 21st, 2008 at 6:40 amAwesome. God bless the Marines.
Here is a related McCain 527 video
September 21st, 2008 at 6:45 amObama/Reagan comparison
As a provider working at Womack on Ft. Bragg I can attest that these men and women are the next greatest Generation. I have seen so much unselfishness and bravery that I feel overwhelmed with emotions when just in their presence. As a daughter of a Vietnam Vet and Granddaughter of three WWII Vets (my grandmother was also in army during WWII) I can say that these young men and women are amazing in their love of country and freedom. I feel humbled and honored to help them in anyway I can. My friend had both her legs amputated from the knees after an IED blast; all she wanted to do was get back to her unit. I have no words that seem adequate enough to describe these brave men and women. God bless them all and thank you for your unselfish sacrifices to keep us safe and free.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:10 amGreat Article still wiping away the tears!
Wow. God bless all who have served.
September 21st, 2008 at 8:17 amThis reminded me of this video…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X4lAl_m_0g
..
September 21st, 2008 at 8:32 amI agree Steve Rogers,
The amount of grace, strength, dignity and wisdom in such young men is inspiring and humbling.
I wonder how much of it is a desire to give some ‘payback’?
September 21st, 2008 at 9:43 amWhat they all already said.
Thanks for that video too Steve in NC.
As if I was not crying already!
God bless them all.
September 21st, 2008 at 9:52 amThe psychological blow that this sends our enemies is incredible, as well as the courage and strength that it shows on Cpl. Jones’ part. This is a victory over our enemy that they will not be able to deal with. They break our bones, they steal our legs, yet we are relentless in our pursuit of their sorry asses.
God bless these guys and God bless our country for producing such cream of the crop!
September 21st, 2008 at 10:43 amI’m so darn proud of these men! What an asset and blessing they are to our nation!
September 21st, 2008 at 10:51 amnever ceases to amaze me how awesome our military is. the men and women who make up our military are just great and stories like this inspire me to never complain and always do my best. god bless them all
September 21st, 2008 at 11:36 amGod Bless my fellow Marines and these young kids carrying on an already great legacy. I pray for each and every one of these Marines and all who are over in the sandbox to annihilate the enemy and come home safely. Semper Fidelis
September 21st, 2008 at 12:20 pmGod bless them for sure, but I am a little bit a angry that I was barred from joining for not having a left hand =\.
September 21st, 2008 at 1:01 pmSemper Fi and a salute to all of my fellow Marines, and especially those stories similar to Cpl. Garrett Jones. And as a bit of an new Army bashing joke “Marines, we do the job better. Even with one leg!”.
September 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pmsimply amazing.god bless them all.
September 21st, 2008 at 3:13 pmThats Semper Fidelis.
September 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pmThanks for posting this piece Pat. Glad to see you’re still at it.
September 21st, 2008 at 4:17 pm
What an amazing attitude. I wish them well and thank them.
September 21st, 2008 at 5:14 pmAmazing. In awe of these heros.
September 21st, 2008 at 5:15 pmMakes me proud to still be one of The Few & The Proud……..
September 21st, 2008 at 5:21 pmYou’ve got to wonder when the Left sees this stuff and STILL feels we’re not doing good things there.
OH, yes, I forgot, the media/Left won’t allow anybody to see this.
Thanks for showing an important story. GOD BLESS THESE HEROES. THAT is heroic beyond heroic!!
September 21st, 2008 at 6:57 pmGod Bless ‘em
September 21st, 2008 at 8:47 pmOne word says it all Marine. Gob bless and protect all
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:47 amSemper fidelis leathernecks!
Today’s Marines make all of us who have proudly served stand a little straighter every day.
I am sure that the same is true of our brothers and sisters in arms from the Air Force, Navy, Army, Coast Guard, and all reserve units as well.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:57 amGod bless them, and god blessed us with them.
September 22nd, 2008 at 5:23 am