This past weekend I experienced the greatest thing I have ever done at drill.  I didn't outrun anyone, I didn't shoot at expert level, it was nothing of the sort.  I went to the VA hospital and met with an Iraq war veteran.  I have not been able to sleep well since.

This wasn't the first time I had seen an injured soldier but this particular encounter has stuck with me.  I went with my G2 OIC, Major Stanley, to visit this man.  As we entered the ICU and I laid my eyes on him, my heart broke.  He asked me how old I was; 23 I answered.  He was 23 as well.  He was my age and paralyzed from the waist down by a sniper's bullet to the neck.  I held back my tears.  He looked at my rank and said he should have tried to commission, perhaps then he would still be able to walk.  I explained I was enlisted, this butter bar was practically brand new, the patch was still stiff with starch. 

I will never forget the grimaces of pain that flashed across his face.  He had been in surgery for nine hours the previous day.  His leg muscle spasms pulled at his stiches, the morphine wasn't strong enough.  It was his eyes though that I found myself staring at.  There was this faint spark, something saying he was never going to stop fighting that was there. 

This soldier will be in a year long recovery from his latest surgery. 

Major Stanley is on the board of an organization called Helping a Hero. (http://www.helpingahero.org/)  This organization helps wounded soldiers from the global war on terror by providing them with housing to accomodate their needs.  The soldier I mentioned above, he recently was one of these recipients.  If you are at all interested in learning more about this or wanting to contribute in any way, please see the above the link or contact Major Frank Stanley at frank.stanley@us.army.mil.

Thank you all so much for your continued support and efforts.