2LT Son wounded in Afghanistan

[kimlangley7]

So > there I was minding my business at my desk in “the Building”/Pentagon this Mon morning – when my daughter calls me and asks if I have heard anything about my son Ryan [2LT/Infantry/Rifle Platoon Leader/”downrange in RC-East Afghanistan. I answer > negative – what’s up? .. she tells me his facebook posting is that he’s being awarded the Purple Heart.

A fathers heart skips a few beats – my kid been hit??

My youngest son – 2LT Ryan was hit by a RPG [rocket propelled grenade] in Lowgar province Afghanistan yesterday. He was at a patrol base – forward of his COP/Combat Out Post when their PB was attacked by the muj with RPG’s.. His position took a hit – RPG exploded above him – peppered him with shrapnel …. Nothing serious – he was patched up and return to duty. He’s been in country less than 60 days and he gets hit.

I’d be lying if I said that I was not anxious as I ran the event to ground – called the Army Operations Center in the basement if they had any details – they passed me off to G1/Personnel Casualty center – nope – not in the system – I call his rear detachment and they call forward – come back with yep – PB got hit LT Ryan was slightly wounded >> massive relief on my part.

Personally – I think Afghanistan is a lost cause – we haven’t learned a thing since Vietnam. I told Ryan before he deployed >> treat Afghanistan as a live fire exercise > OPFOR is provided free. Never trust the muj >> Never turn your back on the muj >> Take care of yourself >> take care of your men >> have no illusions of grandeur/noble efforts in developing democracy in Afghanistan/it’s just a live fire exercise…We have been there for over 10// TEN blinking years!!!! Time to end this waste of American and Coalition kids getting shot up/blown up… for what?? Not worth it.. muj just are not worth it….

[stomachmonkey]

Glad your boy is OK.

Bring em all home.

[widebody911]

Glad to hear he's OK.

I wholeheartedly concur about Afg not being worth it - at all. 10 years and how many billions we've borrowed from the Chinese to pay for it? What I want to know is who is pushing for us to stay in there and why. The conspiracy theorist in me sez it's the military-industrial complex whispering in someone's ear that we have to stay there.

[Zeke]

In before PARF to say thank your son for his service whether wasted in Afghanistan or somewhere else in that sand pile.

His physical wounds may have been patched up quickly, but he might not ever be quite the same.

I truly hope the best for the young man. And you.

[kimlangley7]

Thanks Zeke - concur that Ryan will return to "the world" a changed man"... I did -

I did Cambodia back in 73, Desert Storm in 90/91; Bosnia 96 - Iraq OIF - in 2003 and back again in 2006..been to Afghanistan a couple of times myself....

Don't want to get too wrapped up discussing war - but after you have experienced it... changes you.... you can look at things differently... can have a "sick" sense of humor.... can have confidence that you have faced some evil stuff... and are still kicking... and the men who you faced it with - your Band of Brothers... nothing else quite like it..

[island911]

Glad he's okay. let's hope they are alll back soon.

Originally Posted by widebody911

... What I want to know is who is pushing for us to stay in there and why. The conspiracy theorist in me sez it's the military-industrial complex whispering in someone's ear that we have to stay there.

BHO tells us we are there in ever bigger force because that's where OBL is.

So, clearly no need to go and get all conspiracy theorist, and think that we are being lied to.

[Jim727]

Originally Posted by kimlangley7

Thanks Zeke - concur that Ryan will return to "the world" a changed man"... I did -

I did Cambodia back in 73, Desert Storm in 90/91; Bosnia 96 - Iraq OIF - in 2003 and back again in 2006..been to Afghanistan a couple of times myself....

Don't want to get too wrapped up discussing war - but after you have experienced it... changes you.... you can look at things differently... can have a "sick" sense of humor.... can have confidence that you have faced some evil stuff... and are still kicking... and the men who you faced it with - your Band of Brothers... nothing else quite like it..

Truer words....

Count me in on what Zeke said. Many, many thanks to your son (and you).

Jim

[craigster59]

The Band Of Brothers, there's nothing like it. No matter what happens, I'm always by the side of guys I've served with. Still in touch with many, thanks to Facebook (can't believe I just typed that last sentence).

[azasadny]

I'm glad he's OK. As a former Hospital Corpsman, I saw many injuries like that and I'm glad it wasn't more serious. I was also in Desert Storm (1st Med Bn, Ist FSSG, in Ras al Mishab , Ras al Khanjar and Khafji).

I also don't believe that the entire country of Afghanistan is worth one drop of our blood, but nobody asked me for my opinion. I'll keep your son and your family in my prayers!

[recycled sixtie]

Sorry to hear about your son Kim and hope he makes a full recovery.

[Hugh R]

Wow, I wish your family, and especially your son the best. I agree with you about A-Stan, when do we know we've "Won".

[gt350mike]

After reading the headline, I'm relieved it wasn't more serious.

[daepp]

Please no PARF here:

Please let him know their are a lot of gear heads who wish him well and are appreciative of his service to our country.

As a parent of a daughter who is entering USNA in late June, I wonder where my Mid will be when I hear about an international event. God bless me....

[Don Plumley]

I'm glad he is okay and please thank him for his service.

[speeder]

I'm glad that he's ok this time and I commend both of your bravery and service. I have 2 cousins who are active duty, one is deployed in the ME.

[A930Rocket]

Glad to hear he's ok and thanks to both of you for your service!

[HardDrive]

No need for PARF comments here. I'm glad your son is OK, and thank you for being a strong person and enduring having your son in the line of fire. I appreciate your sacrifice, and your son's.

[look 171]

My Langley,

My family would like to thank you for your service. When you have a chance to talk to your son, please thank him for us as well.

Jeff

[Rikao4]

glad he's okay..
as father you worry..
as a former member you can laugh at his humor..

'it was just a dusting Dad..I'm fine..'

please extend our thanks to him & mates..

Rika

[island911]

Originally Posted by DAEpperson

Please no PARF here:.....

Originally Posted by HardDrive

No need for PARF comments here. ...

Is that aimed at the OP for his last paragraph? Or maybe Wide for responding? Or my responding to Wide?

You know, you guys are essentially saying "let's not talk about the why US troops are there (even though the OP and others would like answers)."

Politics aside, it is a damn good question. Here we are at war, and a rather large troop commitment, and people don't want the question asked of "WHY?"

Is it most important that this topic stay apolitical so that it can be as long a list of mushy sentiments in OT that can be generated? ..or is it just that the Q of why must be avoided, even if this goes PARF?

c'mon... the OP kimlangley7, is rightfully deeply struggling with the Q of 'why?' and some here are too frightened to engage that Q. --that's just wrong.

Clearly most of America's brave have been exported.