Wounded Warriors Return To Iraq, Find Closure In Anbar
(December 15, 2010) |
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CAMP RAMADI , Iraq – Eight service members returned to
Iraq—a place where they nearly lost their lives—and were
welcomed back Dec. 10 by soldiers with 4th Advise and Assist
Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division –
Center, upon their visit to Al Anbar, Iraq.
“Operation Proper Exit” allows wounded warriors to revisit
the country they were once medically evacuated from, to find
closure to a chapter of their lives that has since remained
open.
“In making this journey I hope each of you gain a
perspective from this chapter of your life and these
experiences will assist you in writing the next,” said
Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Altman, command sergeant major of 4th
AAB, 3rd Inf. Div., USD-C, as he spoke to the wounded heroes
at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. |
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Wounded warriors and soldiers with 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, pose for a photo Dec. 10,
2010 at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. The wounded warriors returned to Iraq, as part of Operation Proper Exit, years after they were medically evacuated from the war zone.
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The warriors—six soldiers, a Marine, and one airman—returned
to Iraq, Dec. 6, and spent a week travelling throughout the
country they involuntarily left.
Marine Cpl. Michael Campbell, a Pineville, La., native,
deployed to Fallujah, Iraq March 2003, with the 3rd
Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment. Two months later, he was
severely wounded when an improvised explosive device
detonated and left him with Traumatic Brain Injury, chronic
seizures, loss of short-term memory, loss of speech for two
years, but most importantly, the loss of his fellow comrades
who were killed in the blast.
“I wanted to come back here, where I was injured, to say
goodbye to my friends,” he said. He said this visit back to
the province he left more than seven years ago would help
with his healing process and allow him to mentally move
forward from the tragedies of war.
A little more than a year after Campbell was injured, Spc.
Derek Bradshaw, a Yucca Valley, Calif. native, deployed to
Kirkuk, Iraq, with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry
Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.
While out on patrol, his vehicle rolled off a 20-foot cliff,
killing the driver, Spc. Daniel McConnell and leaving
Bradshaw and the other passengers disabled.
“They didn't think I was going to make it,” Bradshaw said,
recalling the Nov. 16, 2004 incident that left him with TBI,
multiple face fractures, a broken arm and nerve damage.
Bradshaw heard about Operation Proper Exit through his
battle buddy, Spc. Carlos Ortiz, 1st Batt., 27th Inf. Regt.,
2nd BCT, 25th Inf. Div., and a Seaside Heights, N.J.,
native, who also almost plummeted to his death in the same
roll-over accident.
“Ortiz told me about this opportunity to come back and
without hesitation I jumped onboard,” Bradshaw said. “It
gives soldiers like me a chance to return, talk to the other
soldiers who are currently deployed, and gives us a chance
to leave—this time, on our own two feet.”
Bradshaw, Ortiz, Campbell and the other wounded warriors,
met with 4th AAB, 3rd Inf. Div., soldiers and discussed the
days that nearly claimed their lives. |
Wounded warriors and soldiers with 4th Advise and Assist Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, United States Division – Center, pose for a photo Dec. 10,
2010 at Camp Ramadi, Iraq. The wounded warriors returned to Iraq, as part of Operation Proper Exit, years after they were medically evacuated from the war zone.
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“This is allowing us to get closure a lot of us need,”
Bradshaw said. “Most of this closure comes from talking
one-on-one with the soldiers—people we can relate to—and it
really helps.”
The wounded warriors agreed a little small talk with their
brothers and sisters-in-arms helped them cope, and said it
was good to see their personal sacrifices helped to make a
difference for the people of America and Iraq.
“It's awesome to see how much the Iraqi forces have grown in
confidence and in numbers,” Bradshaw said. “It's phenomenal
to be able to come back and see this first-hand.”
Sfc. Joe James, a Bethpage, Tenn., native, and returning
wounded warrior agrees.
“It's only been a few years, but I feel like Iraq is a
completely different place,” he said of the improvements he
has seen since he last left.
James, who has deployed to combat four times, was wounded in
2008 when an IED hit his Humvee, killing one and wounding
him and two others. He said it was nice to see the combat
roles have finally shifted to advise and assist.
“Iraq today is nothing like it was in 2005 and 2006, and
that's because of you,” Altman told James and the rest of
the wounded warriors. “Our soldiers are safer, more secure
and are able to advise and assist the Iraqis, due to your
hard work and sacrifice.”
Altman and Command Sgt. Maj. William Johnson, command
sergeant major with 1st Armored Division, United States
Division – Center, handed each of the warriors a certificate
of appreciation as a small token of their gratitude toward
the heroes who have helped pave the way for other service
members and the Government of Iraq, today.
“Whether you realize it or not, each of you are truly an
inspiration,” Altman said to the wounded warriors. “To
return to a place where you nearly lost your lives takes
courage and gives me direct insight into the type of
servicemen you were and veterans you are as you are still
committed to serving our country.” |
Article and photos by Army SSgt. Tanya Thomas
4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs
Copyright 2010 | |
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