E-mail from Andrew
I know it has been a long time since I sent out an email. A lot of things have happened.
I took part in the operation to get Zarqawi. We cleaned up the mess. Morale was very high and everyone was feeling invincible.
The next night, our scout platoon was on a routine patrol when they got hit by an IED. The IED flipped the truck off a 30 ft high berm and it landed upside down. Our first soldier died, one was paralized, and three others had to evacuated for surgery. We went from being on top of the world to feeling like we were in hell.
Later that same night, my platoon reacted to a call that an Iraqi Army Headquarters was under attack. We had Apache's supporting us. As we were approaching the compound we saw 20 RPGs fired at once. The Apache engaged a small machine gun position. I called and told him to cease fire because we did not know where the Iraqi Army was. My truck took hunderds of rounds all over. Because we could not identify the enemy I dismounted and my 8 men raided the compound. Turns out it was the Iraqi Army shooting at us and I saved many lives by calling the cease fire.
The next morning, my platoon went on a normal mission. Drive around, and stir something up. I never go the opportunity. As my truck, the lead truck turned onto a dirt road, we hit a massive IED. I remember seeing white smoke on the initial blast and then my face being engulfed in flames. I rolled out of the burning truck and dragged the soldier behind me out of the truck. One of my terps, Ibrahim, pulled the other two soldiers out.
My driver had a compound fracture to his femir, burns on his hands, and a little shrapnel in his knees and feet.
I took shrapnel in my left thigh. We don't know if the shrapnel severed the nerve in my leg or if it is still in shock. The bottom line is that I have no feeling or muscular control over my left leg below the knee. I also have some burns on my face and a broken nose.
I was evacuated to Baghdad with my driver and we're not sitting in Anaconda waiting to be shipped to Germany. They will do another assessment, but more than likely I will be sent to Walter Reed Hospital near DC.
What happens next is anyone's guess. I may get medically chaptered out of the Army or I might regain full mobility and return to work as soon as possible.
I'm drugged up pretty good right now, but I wanted everyone to hear it from me. I am ok. I'm upset to be leaving my soldiers.
The bottom line is that I'm coming home, for good.
I love you all
Andrew
I took part in the operation to get Zarqawi. We cleaned up the mess. Morale was very high and everyone was feeling invincible.
The next night, our scout platoon was on a routine patrol when they got hit by an IED. The IED flipped the truck off a 30 ft high berm and it landed upside down. Our first soldier died, one was paralized, and three others had to evacuated for surgery. We went from being on top of the world to feeling like we were in hell.
Later that same night, my platoon reacted to a call that an Iraqi Army Headquarters was under attack. We had Apache's supporting us. As we were approaching the compound we saw 20 RPGs fired at once. The Apache engaged a small machine gun position. I called and told him to cease fire because we did not know where the Iraqi Army was. My truck took hunderds of rounds all over. Because we could not identify the enemy I dismounted and my 8 men raided the compound. Turns out it was the Iraqi Army shooting at us and I saved many lives by calling the cease fire.
The next morning, my platoon went on a normal mission. Drive around, and stir something up. I never go the opportunity. As my truck, the lead truck turned onto a dirt road, we hit a massive IED. I remember seeing white smoke on the initial blast and then my face being engulfed in flames. I rolled out of the burning truck and dragged the soldier behind me out of the truck. One of my terps, Ibrahim, pulled the other two soldiers out.
My driver had a compound fracture to his femir, burns on his hands, and a little shrapnel in his knees and feet.
I took shrapnel in my left thigh. We don't know if the shrapnel severed the nerve in my leg or if it is still in shock. The bottom line is that I have no feeling or muscular control over my left leg below the knee. I also have some burns on my face and a broken nose.
I was evacuated to Baghdad with my driver and we're not sitting in Anaconda waiting to be shipped to Germany. They will do another assessment, but more than likely I will be sent to Walter Reed Hospital near DC.
What happens next is anyone's guess. I may get medically chaptered out of the Army or I might regain full mobility and return to work as soon as possible.
I'm drugged up pretty good right now, but I wanted everyone to hear it from me. I am ok. I'm upset to be leaving my soldiers.
The bottom line is that I'm coming home, for good.
I love you all
Andrew
posted by Phil at 5:02 PM
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