Below is a "thank you" letter that was sent by a wounded Airborne NCO back to the medics and doctors in Afghanistan that treated him. I believe the letter has gone to all the folks on the medic teams, including the logistics teams that ensure that blood and plasma are brought into Afghanistan and the air carriers doing the flying. That is to say that front line soldiers usually don't know about the vast logistical and operational efforts (military and civilian contractors) that are in place to take care of them. However, this letter ensures that all of those hundreds and thousands of people in the supply system and in the triage centers know about the one soldier they saved. You're damn right he's worth it.My name is Andrew Jennings and something I had never thought possible happened yesterday. I was able to personally thank someone who worked on me at Role 3 in KAF. A dutch gentleman who on vacation in DC stopped my my room in Walter Reed and told me he was my anesthesiologist. It felt incredible to thank him and I hope to do the same thing for the rest of you with this letter. My first trip to Role 3 was in early June for a small shrapnel wound to my shoulder from an RPG. I remember how lighthearted and funny everyone was, but more importantly how thoroughly I was checked out even though I only had a minor wound. I have no memory of my second trip to Role 3 but from the stories I have heard I can only imagine the level of care I received. I think you might remember me, if not by my wounds then by the date I was hit. I was patrolling in the Arghandab River Valley and am part of the 82nd, 2-508th. I was hit by an IED o July 4th and came in with 2 other soldiers. One was KIA and the other had a bad laceration down his entire right arm. I received a shrapnel wound to my leg and my face. The shrapnel to my face went through my mouth and knocked out many of my teeth. The leg injury I not exactly sure about. The shrapnel hit somewhere below my knee and severed an artery. The medic on the ground happened to be my battalion PA. He treated me on the ground and at some point I received two chest tubes. From the stories I have been told I can do nothing more than marvel at the hear tenacity and skill you all portrayed in not only saving my life, but saving my leg. I was informed about the marathon surgery and huge amounts of blood I was given and am so thankful to each and every one of you I can't put it into words. The best way I can thank you is to tell you that I was discharged from Walter Reed today (July 29th) and am now an out-patient. Everything is going great and I am expected to be able to walk and even run in small amounts. I had many washouts done to my leg and the inside was completely closed 10 days ago and looks great. The outside wasn't able to be closed but the skin graft was a near 100% take and is healing fine. Physical Therapy is building me up daily and I look forward to walking soon. My face healed quickly and looks surprisingly normal. My lips are only slightly disfigured and the scars are minimal in size. I need implants to fix my teeth but am told that they will look better than my original ones. There are many people who helped to save my life but all of you at Role 3 played a major role and I am eternally grateful. I plan on spending the rest of my life like it's a second chance and I don't intend on wasting it. I have a wife and 13 month old daughter that I am spending time with right now. I said all that to say this... Thank you for the hard work you are doing. You are making a major difference in people's lives. Continue saving lives and return home safely. Sincerely and respectfully, SSG Andrew Jennings
Read the complete post at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Blackfive/~3/GT0DwVU7dN8/my-name-is.html
Posted
Aug 17 2010, 02:59 AM
by
BLACKFIVE