A US Army Medic Wounded Warrior

Sgt. Brian Christopher Jergens, from Oklahoma is 22 years old and his wife is 18 years old. They were married a month before Sgt. Jergens left for Afghanistan. Sgt. Jergens, a medic was one of three riding in a Humvee when it was struck by and IED, unfortunately he was the most severely injured. He lost both of he legs below the knee, his ring finger on his left hand, a broken arm, a cracked vertebra, abdominal injuries to the extent doctors removed his spleen. Doctors also had to control the swelling of his brain.

It was only just recently, in the end of August that Sgt. Jergens opened his eyes for the first time at the hospital in San Antonio, Texas to the joy of his wife, Jennifer. He hasn't been able to talk yet, but he is able to track objects with his eyes, and his wife says he is very aware of his surroundings.

Sgt. Jergens followed in his fathers foot steps of enlisting in the Army to be a medic. His father, Sargent Major Brian Keith Jergens has been temporarily assigned to a post near his son who was recovering in Texas until today.  Sgt. Jergens was flown to California to continue his recovery at the Palo Alto VA today, September 19th. The Patriot Guard was on hand to support this wounded warrior and in welcoming him to California.

This warrior and his family has a long tough road to recovery in front of them. If you would like to read updates about his recovery his wife has set up a web page http://prayforbrianjergens.weebly.com/ there is also a facebook group http://www.facebook.com/groups/116622488435086/

I wish I could have personally been able to meet Sgt. Jergens to welcome him to California, it would have been an honor. In fact it is an honor to have him and his wife in California. I hope and pray he has a full recovery.

Remembering The Dogs Of War

Dogs have been man’s best friend for hundreds of years.  They have played the role of protector, defender, hunting companion, and family member.  Since dogs are intelligent, they are perfect partners for helping mankind in a variety of ways.  A dog’s sense of smell is renowned; in fact it is so remarkable Japanese researchers are currently conducting a potentially life saving study where dogs diagnose cancer in humans.  Dog’s brains and noses are clearly built for pursuing, tracking, and stalking prey.  Whether the pray is a rabbit, a pheasant, a missing person, a German in World War II, narcotics, or explosive components, dogs are the perfect weapon to accomplish the mission. 

The single minded focus dogs demonstrate while stalking, combined with their unfaltering loyalty make them ideal partners with militaries around the world.  Since 2005 bomb or IED sniffing dogs have increased exponentially in Afghanistan.  Currently the United States, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain all use dogs to detect IED’s in Afghanistan.  The importance of the “Sniffer dogs” mission, to save lives, fused with the troops ability to bond with the dogs is evident by the presence of several veterinary clinics to ensure the Sniffer dogs health. 

Sniffer dogs wounded in action have been treated as true brothers and sisters in the military family.  Canine units have been given the same priority as injured NATO troops.  In cases of extreme emergencies the dogs have been medivac to the Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit (MMU) where dogs have received life saving major surgery.  The MMU surgeons have agreed to treat the dogs when certain surgeries are too complex for the small veterinary clinics.

When a Sniffer dog is killed in action, he is mourned like a true brother.  After an in theater memorial service, the sniffer dog is received back to it’s country with honors.  If the dog’s handler is also killed in action, the two are buried together.  Staying true to “Never Forget” the Afghanistan War Dog Memorial Project has been established.  Mahor Donna DeBonis, who served as a Veterinary Officer at Kandahar Airfield in the Summer of 2009 founded the Afghanistan War Dog Memorial.  The current mission as stated on facebook is, “To create and build a War Dog Memorial lodged at Kandahar Air Field by September 11 to pay tribute to the War Dog Lives lost in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.  The Memorial was built for the dedication ceremony OCT 2009. It is maintained by the US Army Veterinary staff on duty at KAF.”  The plaques for the memorial were donated by Cheryl Musket of the AMEDD Museum at Ft. Sam Houston.  Albert Staniforth, a Canadian Civilian Contractor and SGT Wes Stewart contributed their labor to the effort.

Some might wonder, Is it necessary to have a war dog memorial?  A British paper reports that Sniffer dogs and their handlers are HVT or High Value Targets.  The Taliban are seeking out these teams with focused snipers since they have been impacting the efficiency of Taliban IED’s. Read the story of  Lance Corporal Liam Tasker and his Sniffer dog Theo to see the impact these teams have in country and around the world.

With the approach of Memorial Day, I ask you to extend your thoughts, prayers, and thanks to honor the brave IED Sniffer dogs that have lost their lives saving our children and Afghan children from IED’s. 

For a photographic history of dogs in the military around the world check out The Dever Post Dogs Of War

For A Brave Warrior

Anyone who knows me, knows I don't have to know you, to want to do something for you. If I hear you need something, and I have it, I will give it to you. If you need a laugh, I am your fool. I am a giver. It makes me happy to help other people, anyway I can. That is, after all, why I started this blog and Words For Warriors project. I saw a need for the men and women who fight for us to know, we know they are there, and we appreciate them. Their sacrifices do not go unnoticed.

This leads me to my friend Krystal. She is an Army Medic. I have no doubt she will have an impact on the future in many ways, saving lives is only going to be one of them. Recently one of her close friends who was stationed in Afghanistan was injured by an IED. Even though I have never met, talked to, or even seen a picture of Krystal's friend, I felt helpless. I felt helpless for the injured soldiers' husband, family,  friends, and teammates. While reading all of the facebook updates posted by friends and family I wanted to do something... anything to help. So I emailed a few of the teachers who have been big supporters of Words For Warriors. I told them about Krystal, and her injured friend, and asked if they would take the time to make something.... anything that we could send to make sure this soldier, who sacrificed her leg, among many other things, would know her sacrifices have not gone unnoticed.  

Mrs. Bricker and Mrs. McKee's classes from Janesville Union School made "Get Well Shamrocks" for me to send. Some of these Shamrocks where intricately decorated with markers, crayons, and decorative cut outs that would put a snowflake to shame. Some had messages of sympathy and empathy written on them. I was proud the teachers, and the students took the time to make something, for someone they had never met, who had sacrificed so much on their behalf in an effort to make sure a proud defender of our country knows we care.

I mailed these shamrocks directly to Krystal, who just happened to be home on leave and planning a trip to Walter Reed to see her friend. I know Krystal, who has worked with children before joining the Army, could appreciate the students efforts and would enjoy sharing them with her recovering friend. I hope more than anything these shamrocks provided at least one smile, along with the support from so many in a small town in California.