Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th U.S. Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division
Active Duty
Not even two near-death encounters deterred Sgt. Maj. Brent Jurgerson's passion and eagerness to serve his country and lead his troops back home.
Jurgersen celebrated his second "alive day" anniversary January 26, 2007. It was a day of mixed emotions for him because on that same day two years ago he was given a second chance to live. It was a day that changed his life forever. While on patrol in Ad Dyuliah, Iraq, two rocket-propelled grenades struck his Humvee. The explosion killed his gunner and left Jurgersen fighting for his life, flat-lining twice on the operating table in Balad.
Afterwards, during a promotion ceremony in August of 2006, Jurgersen was selected for a command sergeant major appointment. Becoming the first full limb amputee student to attend the academy.
You can read the rest of Sgt. Maj. Jurgersen's story here.
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived
This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.
The Oscars were on Sunday. Nobody read the names.
Can I go off track for a minute? Medical technology has changed enormously since we were last in a war. Imagine what our casualties would be like if we DIDN'T have so much technological know-how. Now consider the state of Walter Reed, where virtually every severely injured soldier goes. I will vote for the presidential candidate that starts talking about how we're going to ensure that the men and women coming home from overseas get appropriate, exemplary (not adequate) medical care.
It's a volunteer force, folks, but once someone is injured because WE sent them somewhere, we have an obligation to make sure that they are cared for. People have wildly different experiences at VA hospitals. IF the VA is what these men and women are going to depend on, we need to start straightening it out and pumping money into the system NOW, so it is ready to handle this load.
Go read the new issue of Discover Magazine about the increase in Traumatic Brain Injuries that are saved. Then go read an article about the state of Walter Reed. Then drive by a guy in a faded green jacket holding up a piece of cardboard. We already have homeless veterans. How many of them could have benefited from good psychiatric help and a country that was ready for their return to the normal world? If someone makes it through their tour(s) without a scratch, there are other ways that these folks will need care. GAAHH! Okay, I'll get off my soapbox.
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