17 posts tagged “good news”

This is just one of the more recent stories (thousands I'm sure) about our military personnel around the globe, specifically in Afghanistan and Iraq, who are doing GOOD things and performing HUMANITARIAN acts of goodness and kiindness.  And, once again, not a story that will be told on any of the major media outlets.

I'm gonna issue a "tissue alert" on this one.  I needed it.  God Bless SPC Janda and all those who assisted to ensure this child's life was saved. 

From DVIDS

6-4 Medic Saves Baby's Life in Bazaar

Story by Staff Sgt. David Hopkins
Date: 04.26.2009
Posted: 04.26.2009 09:23

JALALABAD AIR FIELD, Afghanistan — When a man with blood-soaked hands emerged from a small shop in the Nishgam bazaar in northeastern Afghanistan in mid-March and approached a troop of Soldiers he had one request for their medic—to save a baby's life.

Soldiers from Charlie Troop, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, were on patrol through the bazaar to show a presence in the area when a local Afghan nurse burst into the street seeking help from the American Soldiers.

"I wasn't sure what he wanted at first," Army Spc. Anthony Janda, C Troop medic from Buffalo, N.Y., said, "but I followed him into the little shop. Inside there was an 8-year-old boy holding a baby who was wrapped in gauze and had blood all over him."

The baby was victim to a circumcision that went wrong in a village across the border in Pakistan and was brought to the nurse to help, but his knowledge and supplies were limited and the baby was in shock. Janda knew immediately the injury was serious judging by the amount of blood on the floor.

Acting quickly, the medic began to remove the gauze from the child and for the first time realized just how bad the injury was.

"When I started to pull the gauze away blood squirted at me," Janda said. "I didn't really think about it at that point. It was all instinctive."

He had never worked on a baby and was not trained in any medical techniques to save babies, but Janda, a father of a 3-year-old, knew he had to save the child.

He tried to control the bleeding by applying gauze to the wound. While he was doing this, he sent another Soldier back to get his non-commissioned officer in charge, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jimmy Carswell from Dexter, Ga., so he could request an evacuation. However, before the senior non-commissioned officer arrived the baby's heart stopped beating.

"I've never done CPR on a baby before," Janda said. "Normally I just work on the guys, making sure they are healthy and mission capable. This was completely new."

He performed CPR on the baby and in a couple minutes detected a pulse, but the baby still wasn't out of the water. The child had lost a lot of blood and the medic had none to replenish his supply.

The medic and Carswell, who had arrived and was working on getting the baby evacuated, decided to try an IV solution called HEXTAND, which adheres to blood cells and adds more volume to the blood supply.

Janda found a small needle in his aid bag and found the baby's tiny vein on the first attempt, but when doing so the baby's heart stopped beating again, and again he managed to bring the baby back with CPR.

The baby wouldn't make it if they didn't get him to surgery so Carswell ran out into the street to hire a cab.

"I found a local and had our interpreter get him to find a cab," Carswell said. "It's a 30 minute drive, but it was the only way to get him back to the [forward operating base]."

Before the cab arrived the baby's heart stopped a third time and again Janda brought him back.

When the child was stable again the nurse from the shop went along with him on the rough, gravel roads to FOB Bostick. The intravenous solution was working by the time they arrived and the baby was responsive and crying.

With the help of a large medical team and a pediatrician on the phone they managed to stitch up the baby and save him.

"The cut was deep," said Army Sgt. Shay Wilson, Forward Operating Base Bostick's Aid Station non-commissioned officer in charge from Chicago, Ill. "When the surgery was performed, just over the border in Pakistan, the surgeon, or whoever did the surgery, cut too deep. The baby lost a lot of blood, but Janda did the right things to stabilize him and get him to us."

After the baby and nurse left the bazaar, Janda and the others went back to work without knowing the baby's fate.

"I had a heavy heart," Janda said. "I was really worried about the kid and wasn't really talking to any of the guys. I was depressed because I really didn't know if he was going to make it."

Several hours later the word was passed to the troop that the baby had survived and was doing fine. The entire troop breathed a sigh of relief and gained even more confidence in their medic.

"To have a medic of that caliber with you is priceless," said Army Staff Sgt. Eric Winn, C Troop squad leader from Colorado City, Texas. "Knowing you have a medic that good with you when you go out lets you focus more on the mission at hand. I wouldn't want anyone else working on me out there."

Janda and his team have visited the baby since saving his life and he has recovered and is doing well.

"It was great to see him healthy," Janda said. "I'm just happy I was able to figure out the right things to do, and am happy he gets to live a healthy life."

I've said it before and I will say it OVER and OVER again.  Our Wounded Warriors INSPIRE me.  SSG Luis Rosa-Valentin is definitely at the top of the list.

From Killeen Daily Herald

Wounded sergeant greets his soldiersPosted On: Wednesday, Mar. 11 2009 05:38 AMBy Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald

FORT HOOD – Luis Rosa-Valentin got something Tuesday morning he's wanted since arising from a coma nearly a year ago.

"Sgt. Rosa! Rejoin your formation!"

Steadied by a friend, he rose from his wheelchair and stepped onto the brown grass toward 200 uniformed soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team. Excited chattering came to a halt as heads turned and a knowing silence fell over the crowd.

This audience knew what was happening. People were more than willing to forgo their reunions for a few minutes so one soldier could have his.

Staff Sgt. Luis Rosa-Valentin was there to check on his guys.

He lost two legs, part of his left arm, his hearing and some of his sight to an explosively formed projectile – a hardcore roadside bomb – but Luis wanted to see that his guys were OK and he came all the way from Maryland to make sure of it.

They were some of his first concerns after coming out of a two-week-long coma, his wife, America, said. Luis wasn't worried about himself. His biggest worry was that the guys saw him get hurt and how that affected them.

Luis was an infantry sergeant on a road patrol in Iraq on April 21, 2008, when a sniper opened fire. A bullet went through his legs and hit a buddy. Luis was on the lookout for snipers when he walked over a bomb 15 minutes later.

Doctors replaced Luis' legs with titanium prosthetics and inserted a hearing aid and cochlear implant in his ears. He made significant progress and began therapy, but leaving the unit in Iraq was always at the back of his mind.

Watching the soldiers come home was good for Luis because he won't have to worry about them as much and can focus on his therapy, said his best friend, Josh Hubbell. The two military brats have been best friends since high school.

Josh was the one who helped Luis walk across the field and stood next to him in the formation.

"It was an honor," he said. "Probably the biggest honor I've ever experienced in my life."

Josh and America stood back as the soldiers were dismissed and a swarm of camouflage surrounded Luis.

"It means everything to him," America said.

Though his life changed April 21, Luis is the same person, his wife said. He will enjoy life with his 4-year-old daughter Milinda and unborn baby girl, who is due in May.

Luis' personality didn't change either, America said. He has the same "crazy mouth" and make jokes like always.

"That day didn't get him. He's still strong and holding on."

Luis remained after the crowds cleared Tuesday, talking with three of the soldiers who sat on the grass in front of his wheelchair. One of them was the soldier who administered life-saving care soon after the bomb exploded.

Someone brought America a folding chair and she sat and listened to the four soldiers exchange stories. It hasn't been easy, Luis admitted to them. He talked about dark times and he talked about God. He talked about the good times, too, laughing with his buddies as they remembered.

Parked in the middle of the 4th Infantry's parade field, a burning cigarette in his remaining hand and tossing out an occasional cuss word, Staff Sgt. Luis Rosa-Valentin was where he wanted to be – with his guys.

Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.

For more on the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division's return, including the experiences of two soldiers' spouses, Haley Fisher and Melanie Pagan, read the March 18 Fort Hood Herald.

If you live in or near Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune, North Carolina please consider circling 13 June 2009 on your calendar to attend and support this great event:

I just received this email from Move America Forward.  In my opinion Move America Forward is one great organization.  So please share this information.  If you are a blogger please link to or repost this.  And for those of you who just couldn't figure out what to get me for Christmas may I suggest one or more of these.

THANK YOU!  THANK YOU!  THANK YOU! to Move America Forward!!!!!

And now for the email:

URGENT WEATHER ALERT ISSUED: 2:57 PM PST // 5:57 PM EST

Strong storms are forecast to strike positions of U.S. troops in Afghanistan by Monday.  Snow will blanket many parts of the country where U.S. troops are stationed, and temperatures will plunge down to the single digits in some locations. 

We here at Move America Forward have been monitoring this situation closely and a complete weather report follows below.  We are dispatching an especially large shipment of care packages for U.S. troops in Afghanistan, but we need your help to reach more troops with these support shipments.

Please sponsor a special care package for U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq - CLICK HERE FOR CARE PACKAGES.

Weather report from Afghanistan follows, along with first-hand report from military support family on four feet of snow that has blanketed soldiers at OP Fritsche.

We are saddened to think of our brave troops enduring single digit temperatures by next weekend as they trudge through the snow - far away from their homes, family and friends as Christmas approaches.

Please help us ship care packages as Christmas gifts for our troops.  SPONSOR CARE PACKAGES - HERE.

Here is a report we received a few days ago from a supporter who sends items to our troops in Afghanistan:

I’m emailing you because your email struck a sensitive note with me.   Please do not take my email as negative.  It’s just that I’ve been supporting troops in the northeastern provinces of Afghanistan (Nuristan, Kunar, Nangahar and Paktika) for about three years now beginning with the 10^th Mtn 1-32 then the 173^rd, 2-503 and now the 3-1, 6/4 Cavalry.  When I read your statement “In fact, snowfall should begin in these areas within the next couple of weeks…” I couldn’t help but think about our Soldiers at OP Fritsche who are already under 4 feet of snow.  Who barely got simple and rustic plywood shelters built before the snowfall.  That have only dirt on the roofs to keep the bullets out but didn’t have time to properly roof them before it became too cold and snowy.  We have sent several 40’ X 60’ and 50’ X 100’ tarps to them to keep the melting snow from dripping through on them.  And I couldn’t help but think about our Soldiers at two other Ops that have been under snow for three weeks now; who are lucky if they get two resupply opportunities a month because of their proximity to the Pakistani border, the danger of resupply (which is only at night and the helo can only stay on the ground for 5 minutes – NO exaggeration).  The Soldiers, at times, must ration everything.  No showers, no electricity, no hot meals, not outside communication, in fire fights every day and often more than one a day. 

Today's good news? The majority of the 173rd Brigade Wounded Warriors who were given medical clearance to travel are on their way to Italy to join their fellow brothers in arms for the Memorial Services and Family Appreciation Days thanks to SO many great Americans who donated funds for that to happen. The remainder will be leaving for German in a few days to join their respective units for the Memorial Services and Family Appreciation Days there.

THANK YOU AMERICA for making this happen for these great Warriors! They have told us time and time again how important this is for them. And it is also something that the Brigade wanted for the Soldiers.  Unfortunately the Army doesn't have specific funding set aside for this type of travel so their hands were tied.  YOU, however, made it happen!  The Soldiers have ALL asked that you know how much they are grateful to each of you who donated for their tickets.

It's about time....

"NATO command will identify problem areas and Pakistan will hit those targets. A plan, drawn up between the Americans and Pakistan in 2007, will be implemented under which Peshawar, capital of NWFP, will serve as a base camp from where, under American guidance, the Taliban's bases will be targeted. The Taliban use these bases to launch operations into Afghanistan."

From Asia Times Online

23 August 2008

Militants Ready For Pakistan's War

By Syed Saleem Shahzad

KARACHI - Pakistan has two options. The country can give in to militancy or it can conduct military operations against it, influential advisor to the Interior Ministry, Rahman Malik, said on Thursday. And the government is not going to negotiate with militants, he added.

His remarks follow a suicide bomb attack outside the country's main defense industry complex at Wah, 30 kilometers northwest of the capital Islamabad, which killed as many as 100 people. The Pakistani Taliban immediately claimed responsibility, saying the attack was in response to the military's recent air bombardment of Bajaur Agency, which led to the displacement of 250,000 people.

Rahman's comments amount to a declaration of war on growing Islamic militancy, but it could be that the new civilian Pakistani leadership is steering the "war on terror" in the wrong direction.

Rahman's remarks cannot be dismissed as a knee-jerk reaction in the heat of the moment. Only a few hours before the suicide attack, the chief minister of North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), Amir Haider Khan Hoti, announced in a policy statement that even if militants shunned violence and laid down their weapons, they would not be pardoned.\

Read the rest of the article here.

OK, this one made my eyes get all blurry.  I've had the honor of meeting Jesse at WRAMC and having dinner and a few beverages with him.  He is one of the most inspirational men I've ever met.  Google him and you'll read plenty about this great American.  I am thrilled that the Command made it happen for Jesse to be in Italy to greet his fellow Soldiers.  Good job ROCK!

From Army.mil/news

SPC Jesse Murphree D Co 2-503 greets returning Soldiers at Aviano 22 July 2008

Wounded Soldier returns to Italy to greet comrades as they come home from Afghanistan deployment

Jul 24, 2008
BY Dave Melancon, U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs Office

VICENZA, Italy -- July has been a month of homecomings for Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team as they return here from a 15-month deployment in Afghanistan.

Spc. Jesse A. Murphree of Destined Company, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment (Airborne), reversed that Afghanistan to Italy airflow July 22 when he traveled from the United States to rejoin his unit as they arrived at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

The "Rock Battalion" infantryman was among the first to greet the approximately 400 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 173rd ABCT and the 503rd's 1st and 2nd Battalions, on the air base flight line.

He shook their hands while standing on two artificial legs, steadying himself with a cane.

Murphree, 22, served as a gunner on an up-armored Humvee. His platoon was overwatching another platoon during a mounted patrol in the Korengal Valley, near Ali Abad, Afghanistan, two days after Christmas 2007. As his convoy was preparing to move, his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device.

Murphree said he has few memories of the explosion. He lost his legs below his knees and suffered minor burns in the incident. Two other Soldiers were also injured in the attack.

Medically evacuated from Afghanistan, he arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Dec. 30.

"I was hit on the 27th and woke up in Walter Reed on New Year's Day," he said as he awaited the first of two aircraft bringing his comrades home.

Murphree arrived in Italy July 20 and said he plans to stay until the first week of August to welcome the remaining 173rd Soldiers. Upon arrival at Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, he was greeted by other Destined Company Soldiers, including his former platoon and section sergeants and two other Soldiers who were wounded in earlier incidents.

"I was looking forward to that feeling you get when you see everyone all happy because they just got done with a deployment. I came back for that feeling," he said. "I've always been thinking about what is going on and worrying. I definitely miss being around all of the guys."

He is staying in the Caserma Ederle Warrior Transition Unit quarters.

"It is pretty hooked up," Murphree said of his lodging at the WTU. "They are accessible; there are ramps and a shower that works for me."

Murphree says this is the longest trip he has taken since arriving at Walter Reed. He has made three other three-day trips in that time -- to his hometown in Colorado, a Texas fishing trip hosted by the 173d Airborne Brigade Association, and a Memorial Day celebration in Pennsylvania.

He said he continues his routine of frequent stretching exercises and walking on his prosthetic legs here, adding that his two-week stay in Italy does not interfere with his treatment. In fact he says it's a plus.

"This is actually better for me," Murphree explained. "That's pretty much what I am doing here. I am walking around a lot. Being on my legs is doing more than therapy would do."

"I'm well past the critical stage of therapy," he said. "You have to keep your core strength up. You have to build tolerance and confidence in your legs."

The reunion night's agenda included going into town with friends and around the Vicenza military community, he said. "We'll have some drinks and stuff, go hang out and have a good time."

Later plans include returning to Vicenza in September for the 173rd's formal welcome-home ceremony and celebration, he said.

Murphree, who is still on active duty, said he will continue his treatment at Walter Reed while undergoing the Medical Evaluation Board process. He expects to be medically retired from the Army in February 2009.

"You can never predict how long you are going to be there, because there are always bumps in the road," he said.

He said he is considering attending college and studying counterterrorism, English or public speaking, and possibly psychology. Plans also include taking up competitive mono-skiing, a sport that resembles snowboarding.

Murphree's return to Italy, where he spent his first and only Army assignment, is an inspiration and strength for all 173rd ABCT Soldiers and the Vicenza military community, said Capt. Matthew J. Heimerle, the 2-503rd rear detachment commander.

"To see him in person lifts everybody's spirit," he said. "Murphree will never quit on his ambitions and goals and will forever be a source of inspiration for the Soldiers of the Battalion."

Heimerle said there were no difficulties in arranging for Murphree's reunion. Community and battalion leaders cleared the visit with doctors at Walter Reed and ensured there was a place for him to stay in the community and that his medical needs were met.

"This has been an extremely tough deployment for all in this battalion," Heimerle said. "Every one of us has lost close, close friends, and to see someone like Murphree get hurt the way he did and recover the way he has, and will continue to do, gives everyone a huge morale boost."

"To me his attitude, motivation, and character epitomize the young Soldiers that are in today's Army and it also reflects our core Army values," he said. "Guys like Murphree are the ones that should be talked about in the news."

"It was good to see that he is alright," said Sgt. Nathan Thomas, the emergency medical technician who treated Murphree in the Korengal Valley.

It's also good for Murphree to see his friends, Thomas added. "He has been in Walter Reed for so long," the medic said.

The entire Destined Company -- especially his friends -- are boosting Murphree's morale, Thomas said.

"I'm not helping him. We are helping him," Thomas said. "This is our little band of brothers sticking together."

Scout team members Spc. Mitchell Raeon and Spc. Jay Liske, who witnessed the explosion, said they plan to get together with Murphree during his visit.

"He looked good," Raeon said. "We have not seen him in about 10 months, so we did not know what to expect."

"I can't wait to drink a beer with him tonight," added Liske.

"It's been incredible to see my buddies come back. It is one of the feelings I've been waiting for," Murphree said as 18 busloads of Soldiers pulled away from the flight line for the two-hour ride from Aviano to Vicenza. "You sit there at the hospital and you think constantly about your guys and what is going on. And when you finally get to see them and you know that they are OK, it is definitely awesome."

I received this email from Tracy at Tanker Brothers

I  was shopping at Sam's Club yesterday and came across this coffee: Newhall Coffee

They have a "Patriot Blend" where if you buy that blend, for every bag you buy they send a bag to the troops!!  I bought some and I'm drinking it now.  It's pretty good stuff!

Not sure if you can get this coffee by you or not, but I thought I'd pass it along!

Tracy

Winter in Afghanistan and many parts of Iraq will be cold and the hot coffee will be appreciated by our troops.  Great to have another wonderful company on board to help out.  Give 'em some business.

I'm heading out to the airport to catch a flight to Denver in a few hours.  I'm going to hook up with Uncle Jimbo, The Wolf and kev from Blackfive for this great event.  If you're in the Denver area come by and look us up at the Blackfive booth on the 4th.  Rumor has it there will be a lot of great people coming and going (present company definitely excluded). 

As we celebrate the Independence of our great nation take 4 minutes to watch this video if you haven't seen it already.  Then take as many minutes as you can to remember all of those who have given their lives in service to this nation, those who have served and those who are serving.  All of those men and women DESERVE some of your time today.  They DESERVE some of your time EVERY day.

From MSNBC - an article reporting several different "events" in Afghanistan.  About two thirds of the way down the article I found this:

"In the remote northeastern province of Nuristan, police said foreign and Afghan troops had been battling rebels in the mountains north of the main town of Kamdesh for three days.

Ghulam Farooq, the deputy provincial police chief, said four militants were killed on Monday.

Perry reported four separate clashes in the area early Sunday. NATO troops exchanged fire with insurgents and called in air support, he said. Reports indicate "several" militants died, he said."

Guess that deserves a big HOOAH to the Sky Soldiers and their ANA partners.