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renate

(13,776 posts)
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:20 PM Oct 2012

oh my gosh, you guys, did you see this picture?

?w=735

"This was one of the most poignant moments of the President's first term. He was visited wounded warriors in the intensive care unit ICU at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, May 1, 2012. He had just presented a Purple Heart to Sgt. Chase Haag, who had been injured by an IED just hours before. Sgt. Haag was covered with a blanket and it was difficult to see how badly he was injured. He was also seemingly unconscious so the President whispered in his ear so not to wake him. Just then, there was a rustling under the blanket and Sgt. Haag, eyes still closed, reached his hand out to shake hands with the President."

http://lightbox.time.com/2012/10/08/pete-souza-portrait-of-a-presidency/#101

(I apologize for the size--I don't know how to shrink the photograph.)

Chase is apparently doing well now. From the President's speech at Fort Bliss on August 31, 2012:

Sergeant Chase Haag is 22 years old. This past spring he was with his team when their vehicle got hit by an IED the day that I flew in. So when I arrived at his hospital room, he and his buddies were all in pretty bad shape. And he was certainly in bad shape -- his leg was broken, his back was fractured. He was laying there on his bed. He was under a lot of medication, face was swollen, his eyes were shut.

And at first, my attitude was I didn’t want to disturb him because I thought he was sleeping. And the doctor said, no, I think he can understand what you’re saying even if he can’t acknowledge it, and I think he’d appreciate knowing that you’re by his side. So I leaned in and I told Chase how proud I was of him and how proud the country was of him, and how we’d be praying for his recovery.

And I was turning to leave and then something happened. There was a rustling under his blanket. And Chase never opened his eyes, couldn’t make a sound, but suddenly you saw the blanket lift and his arm came out. And he shook my hand -- a firm Army handshake. (Hooah!) And I don’t think there was a dry eye in that room.

And then a few months later I was visiting our wounded warriors at Walter Reed, and I walk around the corner and who’s there but Chase. He had endured multiple surgeries. He was persevering through physical therapy. But this time he was on his feet. He was walking again. And he had his dad next to him. And today he’s back where every soldier wants to be -- back with his unit. (Hooah!) (Applause.)

And it made me think, that’s just one moment in the life of one American soldier. But it captured the spirit, the resilience, the tenacity, the discipline, the resolve, the patriotism of all of you.


http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/31/remarks-president-troops-fort-bliss-tx


68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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oh my gosh, you guys, did you see this picture? (Original Post) renate Oct 2012 OP
. n/t porphyrian Oct 2012 #1
k and r goclark Oct 2012 #2
This made my heart skip a beat. FarPoint Oct 2012 #3
I thank BOTH of these gentlemen for their service! ThatsMyBarack Oct 2012 #4
YES, I saw that photo awhile back, but I didn't know that Chase janx Oct 2012 #5
Touching malaise Oct 2012 #6
NICE. This President is classy beyond measure. That's class you can't buy, OR earn by hiding your calimary Oct 2012 #7
Made me tear up. CakeGrrl Oct 2012 #8
K&R - rMoney would have laughed and made a joke about him being in the 47%. HopeHoops Oct 2012 #9
True. Hell I'm sure Romney wouldn't even show up sakabatou Oct 2012 #11
Oh, he'd show up, as long as FOX cameras were close by. He's afraid of the others. HopeHoops Oct 2012 #12
Hand Shake sheshe2 Oct 2012 #15
Oh my goodness.... ellaydubya Oct 2012 #10
The difference between Democrats and Republicans is actions instead of words Major Nikon Oct 2012 #13
Agree 1000% Tigress DEM Oct 2012 #17
Hell yes! daleanime Oct 2012 #24
k&r... spanone Oct 2012 #14
That man Turbineguy Oct 2012 #16
K & R SoapBox Oct 2012 #18
what a waste Kyad06 Oct 2012 #19
+ one zillion MissDeeds Oct 2012 #47
K&R! nt frogmarch Oct 2012 #20
K&R n/t defacto7 Oct 2012 #21
Kick and recommend, my Awesome President ! n/t politicaljack78 Oct 2012 #22
Keeping it classy. Daemonaquila Oct 2012 #23
60 Minutes did a story on an innovative program started by a Houston Texas state judge and bluestate10 Oct 2012 #25
What a picture and story.... George II Oct 2012 #26
You can see it by the expression on President Obama's face-- janx Oct 2012 #27
wow oldtime dfl_er Oct 2012 #28
Wow, so poignant. Duppers Oct 2012 #29
K&R skeewee08 Oct 2012 #30
.... Historic NY Oct 2012 #31
made me water up. underthematrix Oct 2012 #32
K & R !!! WillyT Oct 2012 #33
I Cannot Imagine SCVDem Oct 2012 #34
That blanket Betsy Ross Oct 2012 #35
I WAS wondering about that quilt. dixiegrrrrl Oct 2012 #37
Lovely! GoCubsGo Oct 2012 #49
Recommended. William769 Oct 2012 #36
K&R David Zephyr Oct 2012 #38
Well, now I'm crying like a baby, can't wait til they are all home SaveAmerica Oct 2012 #39
All class toby jo Oct 2012 #40
Kick N Rec mstinamotorcity2 Oct 2012 #41
" ... and today he's back with his unit" Myrina Oct 2012 #42
when does it get to end? tk2kewl Oct 2012 #43
To be fair, he may WANT to be back with his unit. He might have a family TwilightGardener Oct 2012 #45
i meant war tk2kewl Oct 2012 #46
ofcourse he can, and he did! chasehaag Feb 2013 #58
Is this seriously you? Congratulations on healing and I hope you have a peaceful healthy life. uppityperson Feb 2013 #59
It is seriously me hahah chasehaag Feb 2013 #65
A picture is only 1 moment in time and I am sure there is much much much more. uppityperson Feb 2013 #68
Welcome to DU Sgt. Haag! ellisonz Feb 2013 #60
Incredible support chasehaag Feb 2013 #66
You are most welcome! ellisonz Feb 2013 #67
..... handmade34 Feb 2013 #61
Best wishes for your continued recovery. n/t PoliticAverse Feb 2013 #63
Aloha Sergeant nadinbrzezinski Feb 2013 #64
Maybe that's not what HE wanted? All servicemembers are volunteers. MADem Feb 2013 #62
Wow... Phentex Oct 2012 #44
Obama - visits wounded soldiers. Ryan visits a soup kitchen after hours and pretends to clean up. Initech Oct 2012 #48
Kicked and recommended. Uncle Joe Oct 2012 #50
K&R gademocrat7 Oct 2012 #51
k&r Liberal_in_LA Oct 2012 #52
Tear Democrat158 Oct 2012 #53
welcome to DU! renate Oct 2012 #57
Our military deserve ANYTHING they ask for from us. Ikonoklast Oct 2012 #54
These things make me cry every time lunatica Oct 2012 #55
I am an anti-War activist. This picture helps me understand what peope like Sgt. Haag are about. patrice Oct 2012 #56

FarPoint

(12,409 posts)
3. This made my heart skip a beat.
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:27 PM
Oct 2012

The respect this soldier has for his President....semiconscious and still rises to duty. Our President, being sensitive as well...........oh....I'm so moved.

janx

(24,128 posts)
5. YES, I saw that photo awhile back, but I didn't know that Chase
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:28 PM
Oct 2012

had gotten better. Such good news!

calimary

(81,304 posts)
7. NICE. This President is classy beyond measure. That's class you can't buy, OR earn by hiding your
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:36 PM
Oct 2012

money in the Cayman Islands.

Proud of him as my President! I just voted to give him another four years!

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
9. K&R - rMoney would have laughed and made a joke about him being in the 47%.
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:41 PM
Oct 2012

Obama is a true president. I can't fathom how anyone could consider rMoney when we have Obama. We don't need a vulture capitalist. We need the leader we already have - a real leader.

 

HopeHoops

(47,675 posts)
12. Oh, he'd show up, as long as FOX cameras were close by. He's afraid of the others.
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:56 PM
Oct 2012

At least he can count on FOX to edit out the 90% of shit he says because it's totally stupid.

sheshe2

(83,785 posts)
15. Hand Shake
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:06 PM
Oct 2012

So true the only hands he will be shaking are that of corporations "corporations are people my friends" don't ya know.

ellaydubya

(354 posts)
10. Oh my goodness....
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 07:41 PM
Oct 2012

The human spirit is strong......a very moving, beautiful moment. Thanks for sharing.

Major Nikon

(36,827 posts)
13. The difference between Democrats and Republicans is actions instead of words
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:00 PM
Oct 2012

Republicans love to go on about how they respect veterans, but the problem is they also support cowboy diplomacy which inevitably translates into more of them winding up like Sergeant Haag or worse. So in reality they don't respect them at all.

A true supporter of troops advocates for bringing them home and keeping them out of needless conflicts which only result in pain and destruction.

Turbineguy

(37,337 posts)
16. That man
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:07 PM
Oct 2012

is a mooooocher! We could be giving what he costs to some well deserving CEO as a bonus for off shoring jobs.

And for the trolls...

Kyad06

(127 posts)
19. what a waste
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:23 PM
Oct 2012

they should have been brought home years ago. I support Obama but dragging this war on is a disgrace

 

Daemonaquila

(1,712 posts)
23. Keeping it classy.
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:29 PM
Oct 2012

I have many objections to our President's decisions, but I can love him for the fragging good guy he is.

bluestate10

(10,942 posts)
25. 60 Minutes did a story on an innovative program started by a Houston Texas state judge and
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:32 PM
Oct 2012

picked and expanded by the Veteran's Administration. The program gives first time offending former soldiers a choice to undergo a recovery plan or go to jail. As one would guess, the former soldiers chose to go into the program. The program has a stunning success rate. This is just one more example of how much different President Obama does his job, his administration takes chances to rebuild soldier's lives instead of throwing them in jail to rot. Imagine what republicans would do and say if just one of the soldiers in the program commit a major crime while in the program? We would have another Willie Horton over-reaction.

George II

(67,782 posts)
26. What a picture and story....
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:35 PM
Oct 2012

....and to think that his predecessor, who was responsible for that wounded warrior being in Afghanistan, barely acknowledged those wounded and killed and did what he could to reduce the funds available to treat them when they returned to the US.

Thanks for the picture and story!

oldtime dfl_er

(6,931 posts)
28. wow
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 08:46 PM
Oct 2012

what a moving moment.

and for all those -- myself included -- who say "it's time to bring these men and women home", I'm pretty sure that's EXACTLY what Obama is thinking in this picture.

Betsy Ross

(3,147 posts)
35. That blanket
Sun Oct 14, 2012, 11:13 PM
Oct 2012

was probably made by one of the numerous quilters who contribute to the Quilts of Valor. Initially focused on providing hand-made quilts to wounded troops of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, they are now distributed to veterans from all wars and circumstances. Please visit www.qovf.org for more information.

A few of my quilts were sent to Afghanistan, Germany, and military hospitals all over the US. Some may be viewed at
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/344334380SzIAud

I encourage anyone who knows how to operate a sewing machine to jump in a give it a try.
[URL=http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/1515713112067347196iKnWsF][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
37. I WAS wondering about that quilt.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 12:29 AM
Oct 2012

Thank you for the information and for all you do in making quilts.
Had no idea the program existed.

GoCubsGo

(32,086 posts)
49. Lovely!
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 02:48 PM
Oct 2012

That "molas" quilt is fantastic! Did you also make the molas, or just incorporate some that were made in Central America?

I wish I had the patience for that kind of thing...

Myrina

(12,296 posts)
42. " ... and today he's back with his unit"
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 10:30 AM
Oct 2012

OMG, wrong answer. How 'bout honorable discharge with full benefits!?!?!

TwilightGardener

(46,416 posts)
45. To be fair, he may WANT to be back with his unit. He might have a family
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 11:04 AM
Oct 2012

and need the income, or maybe just wants to keep on doing what he's doing. Some people do make a career out of the military.

chasehaag

(4 posts)
58. ofcourse he can, and he did!
Fri Feb 1, 2013, 03:39 AM
Feb 2013

I read alot of these comments on this thread and want to thank everybody for the support, and if anyone is wondering I just had my VA physical yesterday and get out on the 7th of march.

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)
59. Is this seriously you? Congratulations on healing and I hope you have a peaceful healthy life.
Fri Feb 1, 2013, 03:42 AM
Feb 2013

Hoping being out in the world again goes well for you.

chasehaag

(4 posts)
65. It is seriously me hahah
Mon Feb 4, 2013, 03:01 PM
Feb 2013

Thank you, just kinda wish people would be able to know more than just what the picture shows, that I was not the only one injured that day in my truck and so on and so forth.

uppityperson

(115,677 posts)
68. A picture is only 1 moment in time and I am sure there is much much much more.
Mon Feb 4, 2013, 06:30 PM
Feb 2013

Reading on the other thread that you will try to get a group photo up. Best wishes to you all.

I'm probably your mom's age, grew up with Viet Nam vet friends and now our kids are like you, involved with the current stuff.

ellisonz

(27,711 posts)
60. Welcome to DU Sgt. Haag!
Fri Feb 1, 2013, 03:53 AM
Feb 2013

This thread has been archived so it won't get kicked up for all to see - to remedy that I'm going to re-post your post as a new post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022293737

I'm very glad that our community was a help to you and wish you the best of luck.

Aloha.

chasehaag

(4 posts)
66. Incredible support
Mon Feb 4, 2013, 03:03 PM
Feb 2013

I'am just thankful for all the nice comments on this thread and surprised this picture got around. Nd thanks again.

MADem

(135,425 posts)
62. Maybe that's not what HE wanted? All servicemembers are volunteers.
Fri Feb 1, 2013, 10:03 AM
Feb 2013

Unit cohesion and esprit de corps are a big part of the overall morale picture. Terms like "Band of Brothers" (and sisters, these days) don't materialize out of thin air. There's a shared responsibility in a high functioning unit.

He would only get a discharge with full benefits if he were medically retired or finished a 20 year career. If he wanted out, he could have parlayed his wounds into a ticket home, but he clearly wanted to recover/return to his friends.

Initech

(100,079 posts)
48. Obama - visits wounded soldiers. Ryan visits a soup kitchen after hours and pretends to clean up.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 01:01 PM
Oct 2012

Obama wins again.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
54. Our military deserve ANYTHING they ask for from us.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:12 PM
Oct 2012

It is to our great national shame how these women and men are treated.

There is no amount of money I would keep from the VA, if they asked for a trillion dollars, I would find it somewhere.

God damn it.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
55. These things make me cry every time
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 04:41 PM
Oct 2012

Chase's hand is a wonderful shape. Big, strong and with long fingers.

patrice

(47,992 posts)
56. I am an anti-War activist. This picture helps me understand what peope like Sgt. Haag are about.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 06:09 PM
Oct 2012

It also confirms in me, even more deeply, how profoundly important it is, since they are sworn to obey ALL lawful orderss, to elect the right person to be Commander in Chief.

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