Hi all, Sorry about the lengthy absence....

I didn't have anyone else to turn to on this one... I got a phone call from the Ex tonight...One of my best friends growing up just got critically injured in Iraq. Paul was a crazy man, a great friend and always could be counted on for uproarious laughter. He was in the Navy after High School, but had finished his time and left. Well, I had heard he re-upped into the Army National Guard. Since I am not at home, I hadn't been aware that he had been deployed. My Ex calls me tonight and tells me the news...STATZ this is FOR YOU! I love you man.
<snip>
Butler County Soldier Severely Injured In Iraq
Posted 03-31-2005 by CM

A National Guard soldier from Butler County was severely injured in the line of duty in Iraq on Monday.

Specialist Paul Statzer, of Butler, was one of five soldiers hurt in a homemade bomb blast in Tikrit.

The men belong to Alpha Company of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard 112th Mechanized Infantry Unit of Butler and Ford City.

The unit is part of Task Force Dragoon, which provides a number of services in Iraq, including local area security and the training of Iraqi military and police officers.

According to National Guard Spokesman Captain Cory Angell, the soldiers went in to secure the Tikrit area after an improvised device exploded.

A short time later, a second bomb went off and wounded the five men.

Paul Statzer suffered a severe head injury.

Statzer was taken to a military hospital in Germany.

Captain Angell says Statzer's condition has improved slightly.

Statzer will be flown to the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C. tomorrow (Friday).
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Ok, I thought the carnage was terrible, I thought that America would do the right thing ad get that MOTHERFUCKER out of that office. Now, it is personal. This is my "Brother". Statz is back in the states, at Walter Reid. He is missing most of his face, his left eye, and he will never hear again. THIS HAS GOT TO END!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sorry, I am crying and shaking, but I knew you guys would understand.
Again, Statz, I LOVE YOU MAN.:scared: :cry: :pals:

War is such a waste.

:hug: :cry:

awhile in this less active forum. And maybe all us PA DU'ers can send him something. Actually, I would be quite happy to drive to Walter Reid with ya if you want and deliver cards, flowers, hugs, whatever. My daughter lives in Alexandria. I live in York.

We could get an appointment with Sanctorectum for the same day and tell the war monger what we think! Or not. I might puke.

But I am serious. I'd be happy to drive down with you. I love DC, the place of my birth.

And thank you!

such very sad news :cry:

:hug: :cry:

There are no words.

I'm so very sorry. :cry:

You need to be on Top, Dear one.

:hug:

I am lost at words what to wish him and his family and friends. And what to wish you. I knew some guys who were deployed but fortunately they came back safe and sound. You always hear the stories in the news that soldiers got killed or wounded but you don't hear the personal stories. It is heartbreaking. Each one of them.

please keep us posted on his progress; we care

But for now, I must go be a nurse to everyone's Grandparents. Hell, I need their Xanax more than they do today. Not only has the Spring Cold hit me, I have a friend that almost died fighting Shrubya's Daddy's War. And that madman stays in office while we pay 2+ dollars a gallon for gas. My friend will never be the same. I hope all repugs out there can sleep. Wonder what that asshole's approval rating is now? Oh and Statz? :kick:

I send care packages to Iraq - for both the soldiers and the Iraqi children - and the stories they tell me break my heart.

I'm so sorry to hear that about your friend. At least he's getting to come back to you guys (I'm just trying to add a little light to the situation). Be thankful you still have the opportunity to be there for him and give him support, you know he's going to need it. It's so sad to see this happen for a war that didn't even need to start. We're all here for you and my thoughts and prayers go out to you, him, and his family. :hug: Hang in there!

and sending best wishes to you and him.
I feel the same way about the deserter and thief who got us into this!

Best wishes to him, his family, and you.