|
A Soldier’s Story First Sgt. Robert Jennings |
Recovery is a sign
of a soldier’s mettle
Oct. 17, 1735 hours » After an extremely long return trip from the United States, the C-130 airplane landed in Kirkuk, Iraq. As weird as it sounds, I'm glad to be back. In the back of my mind, I know the only way to finish this long deployment is to get back to work and complete the mission.
|
Information angel update » It seems Spc. Todd Woolwine is continuing to surpass goals placed before him. Only five months after losing the lower portion of his leg in a roadside bomb, he is now freely maneuvering Washington, D.C., on his prosthetic using public transportation. In an e-mail to me earlier this month, he said walking on flat ground is a cinch for him.
He's learning to maneuver stairs, curbs, and different grades everyday. He hopes to be jogging soon on a treadmill. His first medical review board is coming up and he wants to stay in the military. He understands the difficulties with this decision, but is determined to remain a soldier.
I've mentioned it before, and will repeat it again. This guy is a machine. This is the determination and discipline that drew admiration from his peers and all the leaders in the company.
I'm including an excerpt from an e-mail I received from his mother this week. She has continued to be an inspiration to us all.
"... Tears still come at times as poignant memories invade my heart, but not as easily or frequently as before.
"I do still find it wrenchingly hard to watch my beautiful son struggle and claw his way back to a normal life. I know that will always be the case. I want to help him so much.... I'd give him my own leg if only I could, but I know this is a journey only he can make, and in his own way. I'm thankful for his life and for the qualities in his personality that make him such a determined fighter.
"When he was a little boy and a teenager, that focused determination and independence of spirit could, at times, drive me to distraction. But now I'm so thankful that God gave those qualities to him. Thank you all for your continuing prayers on (his) behalf.
"They are being answered."
|
Oct. 21, 0220 hours » A thud is heard as a rocket impacted the airbase. Observation posts around the city begin to report the origin.
As we continue through Ramadan, it doesn't seem like religion is slowing the enemy down.
While the vast majority of Muslims here are fasting in the day, working to better their lives, and attending prayer, there are others trying to take advantage of a religious holiday to try and cause harm to Coalition Forces. Makes me wonder if they really believe in what they are trying to preach.
Oct. 23, 0604 hours » Observation post reports a rocket being fired northwest of the patrol base and impacting on the airfield. This sounds like any normal attack, except for the fact it impacted about 200 meters from the Alpha commander as he was exercising. Looks like we will be saturating the area in the mornings again.
God bless and aloha.
Donkey, cow, turkey
living in Iraqi home
| 
|
"I thought it was going to be challenging to be able to do things most people wouldn't," he said. "When we first got here there was a lot of uncertainty. I didn't know whether I was going to get shot at everyday or what. Now that we've settled into our routines over the last 9 months, I'm pretty confident I'll be OK."
I asked Ninehouser what has been the funniest thing he has seen here in Iraq. He said, "On one of the first missions we had, we were doing a knock and search mission in this village. I walked into one of the houses to search it and there was a donkey, a cow, and a turkey in the house. It was pretty shocking, but I had to laugh at the same time."
I asked what the most intense thing he's done. He said, "We were on station to support one of our observation posts, when we got a call because they were under fire. On the way there I had all kinds of things running through my head ... When we arrived on the scene there were people running into houses so we had to follow them and search their homes. Luckily only the enemy was shot that night."
He finished his interview by saying hi to all his family and friends in Pittsburgh. "Mom and Dad I'm doing fine. I'm really looking forward to seeing you all again."