Bombs

I have been writing this over the last several days and I think I am finally ready to let it fly. 

I write this post as I watch the news regarding the bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line area. It has captivated me much like the horrific day of Sept. 11, 2001. I cannot fathom the motivation of someone to do this. Simply unbelievable and sad.

Which brings me to the real reason for this particular blog, and believe it or not, it was going to be about bombs before this even happened. More whispers...let me explain. 

While staying in Charleston I received a message from a woman I met while cycling in Italy with friends. She wanted me to know since I was pretty close to where she lived with her family, did I want to come for a visit. I thought about it for a bit and decided I would, since I was soooo close. Have to say it was an excellent decision. 

Her name is Yvonne and we met in 2006 in the city of Vicenza, Italy. At the time, she was stationed in Italy as a surgical nurse.  She was a friend of my riding mates but all of the Americans there were more like a little family. 

Yvonne loves being in the Army and more importantly, loves being a nurse.  When you meet her you can tell, she is someone you would absolutely LOVE to be your nurse - caring, compassionate, and she knows her shit.  In 2005 she was named Army Nurse of the Year. Yes, the WHOLE Army.  Not bad, eh?!

We have kept in touch through our friends and Facebook over the years. Sometimes we didn't know where she was, as her unit was almost always in a highly sensitive area of the particular conflict. She has been in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Desert Storm, Desert Shield, Kosovo, more Iraq and lastly, Afghanistan.  Deployed a total of 3 of her 18 years to be in harms way to save the lives of our soldiers, and anyone else who needed it. If you have ever seen the documentary "Baghdad ER' you should know it was her unit that set up that hospital but wasn't the one featured in the film.  Too bad, it would have been a great testament to such hard work.   

On her last deployment in Afghanistan, her unit had been receiving small gun fire and heard larger explosions around the compound.  It was a little bit too close for comfort.  In January of 2010, she was in her tent changing clothes when she heard the familiar whistle of a mortar round falling. It was uncomfortably too close, she could tell, and stood up to run to get to shelter when it exploded 6 ft from her cot.  She was hit - her right arm and her left leg were hit badly, but she tried desperately to get away to safety.  Two others in her tent were injured but they were much further away from the blast.  It took 2 days for her to be evacuated because it was so dangerous for the helicopters to try to come and get her.  She said that they kept taking her out to the tarmac, then back, then out, then back for two days. She was finally evacuated but by the time she arrived in Landstuhl, Germany infection had set in to her wounds and she could have easily lost her limbs.  She eventually made it back to the States to continue her recovery.  That is when she realized something was very wrong with her head. Turns out a piece of shrapnel had entered her skull and lodged there - unbeknownst to everyone, the piece of metal was so hot when it entered, it cauterized the surrounding vessels so she didn't bleed and no one noticed the wound. 

Yvonne has had numerous surgeries to repair her broken bones and nerve damage over the last 3 years.  I had been following her progress, but hadn't talked to her.  So visiting her at her home with her husband and two sons, was something I really couldn't pass up.  She continues to struggle with lots of things including short term memory loss, PTSD, and depression.  Just as an example, she was driving me to a small park with a lake nearby that has walking trails around it. As we were going along, there was a piece of cardboard in the center of the road.  But Yvonne didn't see it that way - she told me she saw an IED. 

Luckily for her she now has a new ally to help with these issues.  Her name is Genny and she is a 15 month old black Standard Poodle - a service dog. 

She is absolutely adorable and I believe she is helping in those ways that we, as humans, cannot see on the surface. While visiting, Yvonne took me to the Airborne Museum in Fayetteville to see how Airborne units have contributed and assisted in all of the conflicts the US has been involved. Genny accompanied us, as expected. In the museum displays, several included recorded gunfire or explosions for affect.  Soon Genny had her front paws on Yvonne and was looking her straight in the eyes.  She sensed the stress Yvonne didn't consciously feel, and wanted her to know she was there for her.  It was an awesome moment to witness.  Genny will do wonders for her.  She already has.

I write this because I have, and have ALWAYS had, the utmost respect for anyone who signs up to possibly put themselves in harms way to protect us and our freedoms.  For Yvonne, I think it was her calling.  Especially with her desire to be a nurse - to be one of those 'helpers' that everyone is talking about with the Boston bombing.  She was one of those people who ran TOWARDS the wounded, not away. And while she was laying in the hospital that she helped set up in Afghanistan hurting from her wounds, I know she was comforting all of the people who were trying to comfort her.  That is just how she is. 

Her Army career is now over.  Her wounds so severe she cannot return to active duty.  She received a Purple Heart, a combat service medal, and a Bronze star.  But I can tell that she would much rather be with her unit putting injured soldiers back together wherever they needed her than being stateside.    

Stopping to visit her has to be the best decision I have made so far on this trip.  I am humbled by her service and dedication to her craft and to this country.  Without selfless individuals like Yvonne, I would worry what our country would be like.   

So, please take a minute when you see a veteran or active duty soldier and thank them for their service. 

 

Thanks for reading.....