Kids Ain't What They Used To Be!
Yesterday I had a kid bring in an SKS needing a part. About 23 or so, shaved head. Average looking plowboy and nothing special at first glance.
As I was working on his Yugo rifle, he mentioned that he didn't know much about the SKS but that he had a litany of Armalites and AK's.
As we talked, I found out that he had enlisted at 18 in the Army.
He did three tours in Iraq as an infantryman. He had carried all personal weapons including a SAW and had finished his hitch as a Ma Duce gunner riding with convoys. He had 3 IED's go off on him and been lucky all three times with only minor shrapnel wounds in his left arm. His hearing in his left ear was also gone.
I asked him if the VA had given him disability and he said he had not applied for it. I asked him why and his answer almost moved me to tears. He replied that he had had friends killed and maimed by those IRD's, he had seen friends also hit by mortar fire and shot. He didn't feel as if his injuries came anywhere near those guys that came back without arms and legs and he wouldn't feel right taking something away from those guys. He further said that one friend who was burned and lost a leg came out with a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. That was all.
I asked him if he had gotten a Purple Heart for his wound and he said he had refused it for the simple reason he still had his arms and legs.
This wasn't bravado on his part, this was just a boy that had went to Iraq as a kid and came home a man.
He's not active now, but still in the Ready Reserve. He may have to go back to Iraq. His only complaint about the whole affair is that they are not allowed to wage agressive war against the enemy. His Leutenent had told him he could shoot only if someone pointed a weapon at him. He said that his teammates sometimes pushed the envelope on the rules of engagement.
To the people that decry the kids of today, every generation is the greatest. I hope this kid comes back to the shop to visit.
As I was working on his Yugo rifle, he mentioned that he didn't know much about the SKS but that he had a litany of Armalites and AK's.
As we talked, I found out that he had enlisted at 18 in the Army.
He did three tours in Iraq as an infantryman. He had carried all personal weapons including a SAW and had finished his hitch as a Ma Duce gunner riding with convoys. He had 3 IED's go off on him and been lucky all three times with only minor shrapnel wounds in his left arm. His hearing in his left ear was also gone.
I asked him if the VA had given him disability and he said he had not applied for it. I asked him why and his answer almost moved me to tears. He replied that he had had friends killed and maimed by those IRD's, he had seen friends also hit by mortar fire and shot. He didn't feel as if his injuries came anywhere near those guys that came back without arms and legs and he wouldn't feel right taking something away from those guys. He further said that one friend who was burned and lost a leg came out with a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. That was all.
I asked him if he had gotten a Purple Heart for his wound and he said he had refused it for the simple reason he still had his arms and legs.
This wasn't bravado on his part, this was just a boy that had went to Iraq as a kid and came home a man.
He's not active now, but still in the Ready Reserve. He may have to go back to Iraq. His only complaint about the whole affair is that they are not allowed to wage agressive war against the enemy. His Leutenent had told him he could shoot only if someone pointed a weapon at him. He said that his teammates sometimes pushed the envelope on the rules of engagement.
To the people that decry the kids of today, every generation is the greatest. I hope this kid comes back to the shop to visit.
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Well said. Hope you took time to shake his hand and tell him thank you.[^] 0 -
I hear you. Of all the soldiers I deal with on a daily basis, only one of them has bragged to me about his combat experience. Others have talked about it but, just as a man to man thing. 0 -
God Bless them ALL!
It is good to hear stories like that.0 -
The kind of son, that could make a dad proud.
Thanks for the story.0 -
Very good story. Thanks for sharing. 0 -
WOW. That is one heckuva kid. Makes me proud to be an American! 
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You should send this in to your local paper. It is indeed a noteworthy story. 0 -
Yes, there are some good one. Yes there are. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ripley16
You should send this in to your local paper. It is indeed a noteworthy story.
Rip, I may just do that. Thanks for the idea.[:)]0 -
I'd rethink sending his story to the local paper. Sounds like he's carrying way too much "survivor's" guilt. What I would do is get him to the local VFW or American Legion and see if they can help him. Maybe encourage him and walk him through the process of getting some help from the VA (it can be a hair pulling and frustrating experience) and get him the recognition he deserves.
Like I said, sounds like he doesn't want the spotlight on him.0
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