I'm amazed at the tenacity and commitment of so many of our military men and women. A growing number of troops severely injured in Iraq are insisting on remaining on active duty. Sgt. John Keith is one of those troops. His story is inspiring:
Army Sgt. John Keith likes to finish what he starts. So even after a rocket-propelled grenade tore into the door of his Humvee during his deployment to Iraq, leaving his leg dangling, he wasn't willing to give up his 15-year military careerThanks to a new mentality within the military, and programs to back it up, Keith is among a growing legion of severely wounded troops who are opting to continue their military service. In his case, the former medic is now serving with the Army's Program Executive Office Soldier to help get state-of-the-art equipment to warfighters quickly as possible.
Sixty soldiers with 30 percent or higher disability ratings have applied to stay on active duty, and all have gotten the green light, said Col. Mary Carstensen, director of the Army's Wounded Warrior Program.
There's a growing recognition that these soldiers have leadership experience, specialized skills and, in many cases, combat experience - all qualities they can continue to contribute to the Army, she said.
The Marine Corps shares this recognition, and issued a Marine administrative message in May 2006 that details its program for combat-wounded Marines seeking to remain on active duty.
President Bush advanced this effort while visiting wounded troops at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here in December 2003. "Americans would be surprised to learn that a grievous injury, such as the loss of a limb, no longer means forced discharge," the president told the soldiers.
"In other words, the medical care is so good and the recovery process is so technologically advanced that people are no longer forced out of the military," Bush said. "When we're talking about forced discharge, we're talking about another age and another army. This is a new age, and this is a new army. Today, if wounded servicemembers want to remain in uniform and can do the job, the military tries to help them stay."
God bless Sergeant Keith and the other wounded troops whose commitment to our country and our military is unfailing.
Thanks to Freepers for this story. And when you've got your Kleenex ready, check out this video.
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Comments (11)
I think it's terrific. Par... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Synova | July 13, 2007 10:55 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
I think it's terrific. Particularly for those who hoped to make the military a career. That's a fine thank you to put yourself in harms way and then lose your career over it.
And staying in the military can have practical benefits to those who are wounded, even the wounds that don't show, because in the military there's no need to explain your disabilities to civilians who don't understand what happened to you or what is wrong with you.
1. Posted by Synova | July 13, 2007 10:55 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on July 13, 2007 22:55
2. Posted by pudge | July 13, 2007 11:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This is wonderful. It's another example of how we have advanced, not only technologically, but in our understanding of the usefulness of what used to be "throw away" human beings. This same kind of Creator inspired advancement will bring an end to abortion soon as we realize that they are useful (and "viable") human beings too. Thank you for the great links.
2. Posted by pudge | July 13, 2007 11:13 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 13, 2007 23:13
3. Posted by Jo | July 14, 2007 12:29 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
One single guy (or gal) in the military has more character, more integrity and more depth than all of the liberals in the world combined.
No wonder the liberals hate them. Deep down inside they know they are worthless compared to these heroes.
3. Posted by Jo | July 14, 2007 12:29 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 00:29
4. Posted by Jim Addison | July 14, 2007 12:34 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
God bless them.
The military, being a huge and unwieldy bureaucracy, isn't particularly known for getting things right. Here's one they did.
4. Posted by Jim Addison | July 14, 2007 12:34 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 00:34
5. Posted by Bob | July 14, 2007 7:52 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Why don't we see great stories like this in the MSM? All I seem to hear about is the latest RINO to desert the President on the war.
5. Posted by Bob | July 14, 2007 7:52 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 07:52
6. Posted by Mark L | July 14, 2007 8:23 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Why don't we see great stories like this in the MSM?"
It does not fit the meme they are trying to sell. That is not what the media wants the focus on.
6. Posted by Mark L | July 14, 2007 8:23 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 08:23
7. Posted by David M | July 14, 2007 9:01 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Trackbacked by The Thunder Run - Web Reconnaissance for 07/14/2007
A short recon of what's out there that might draw your attention updated throughout the day...so check back often. This is a weekend edition so updates are as time and family permits.
7. Posted by David M | July 14, 2007 9:01 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 09:01
8. Posted by groucho | July 14, 2007 10:25 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
There's another new mentality within the military: discharging those permanently disabled with a diagnosis of "personality disorder", which frees the government of having to provide lifetime medical care for soldiers who have sacrificed their bodies in combat.
Why isn't that great story in the MSM? And you better get used to stories about people "deserting" the President. Looks like Bush is in for an increasingly cold and lonely summer. 9 out of 10 scientists agree that global temperatures are rising except for, inexplicably, a small area in central Washington DC, which seems to be turning into some type of black hole. Mass evacuations have been reported.
8. Posted by groucho | July 14, 2007 10:25 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 10:25
9. Posted by C-C-G
| July 14, 2007 11:58 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Groucho, where's your evidence of such a policy?
And I don't mean from some site like DU or Kos, I mean real evidence?
Stuck in between your Elvis sightings file and your huge file of evidence that the GOP drugged Howie Dean to make him scream like that?
9. Posted by C-C-G
| July 14, 2007 11:58 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 11:58
10. Posted by groucho | July 14, 2007 5:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's out there, you can find it if you like. You won't hear about it on FOX, though, or from Rush or Hannity you know, those REAL sources.
10. Posted by groucho | July 14, 2007 5:48 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 14, 2007 17:48
11. Posted by Synova | July 15, 2007 2:13 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Link, groucho. You haven't even given us enough to google.
(And bear in mind that some of us have experience with military stupidity, and that's why we want nothing at all to do with nationalized health care.)
11. Posted by Synova | July 15, 2007 2:13 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on July 15, 2007 02:13