Posted on 07/03/2006 2:31:33 PM PDT by SandRat
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It's you.
I figured it was the flak vest. They always make you look like you're carrying an extra 20 pounds.
It is not you. I thought the same thing.
Soldiers Help Save Life of Wounded Student
By U.S. Army Pfc. Paul Ondik
4th Brigade Combat Team
101st Airborne Division
FORWARD OPERATING BASE RUSTAMIYAH, Iraq, June 30, 2006 U.S.
soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, 4th
Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, currently working with
the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Infantry Division, Multinational
DivisionBaghdad, were able to provide desperately needed medical
attention to an Iraqi citizen who was close to death June 17 at
Forward Operating Base Rustamiyah.
Hiba Mohammed Abdul Ridha was injured by shrapnel during a terrorist
mortar attack on her college May 2.
The injury was unable to heal because of a preexisting lupus
infection. Ridha's father, Sheik Raheem Shareef Jabratallah, a
tribal leader in Fedaliyah, contacted the 3rd Battalion, 67th
Armored Regiment, in a last-ditch effort to save his daughter's life.
The family brought Ridha directly to the gates of Forward Operating
Base Rustamiyah, said U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Joshua Prentice, battle
captain, Battalion Tactical Operations Center. Ridha's condition was
assessed at the gate, and it was clear she was in need of immediate
assistance. Because of lupus-like symptoms, it was determined that
the leg was in danger, Prentice said.
"Six weeks ago, she was in class at her college and there was a
mortar attack. She received a minor injury," said U.S. Army Capt.
David McCaughrin, fire support officer and civil affairs officer-in-
charge for the battalion.
"Unable to heal, it was only a matter of time before the wound
became gangrenous," McCaughrin said.
Gangrene, once started is usually irreversible. In this case it
progressed so fast Ridha's life was in danger.
"The girl definitely would have died," said Lt. Col. Mark Bertolini,
commander, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment. "Certainly in a
week or two, and probably within three or four days."
Ridha had several medical problems. Gangrene was one, but liver
failure was another, separate problem, said U.S. Army Dr. (Capt.)
Michael Curtis, battalion surgeon.
"When she arrived, she was unstable, and we were able to stabilize
her," said Curtis, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah.
"Here, we were able to have our female medics and our female
providers care for her," Curtis said. The 3rd Battalion, 67th
Armored Regiment, took pains to accommodate Ridha in a manner
sensitive to Iraqi cultural sensitivities.
"As it turned out, once we got her in here, it was obvious her leg
actually should have been amputated a couple of weeks ago," said
Bertolini. "Obviously, her family was very grateful for the care."
At this point, the case no longer focused on the loss of a limb;
Ridha's life was in danger. Third Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment
personnel made sure that females were tasked to transport her to the
aid station, and that only females were in the room where she was
cared for, said McCaughrin.
Ridha remained in the care of 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment,
for 24 hours. The soldiers contacted U.S. Army Dr. (Maj.) Aaron
Baker, brigade surgeon, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne
Division, at which point she was medevaced to the 10th Combat
Support Hospital and then sent to Medical City Hospital for further
treatment.
"We remained culturally sensitive, and when we do that, it shows the
local Iraqis that we care about their well-being," said Bertolini.
Giving this type of aid demonstrates to the local populace that the
U.S. Army is willing to provide scarce resources to help them,
Bertolini said.
Jabratallah is a good friend of Bertolini's, as well an extremely
influential member of the community, McCaughrin said.
"He has been a big part of our security here," said Bertolini. "One
story like this carries a long way. It wouldn't surprise me if a
couple of thousand people hear about this in the next few days."
Obviously a biased Lib who was surprised when she found the truth about the war. Good for her honesty though. Rock on Troops!!
Pray for W and Our Amazing Troops
Thank you SE Mom for the ping. Thank you SandRat for the thread. God bless our troops!
A tip of my hat to any reporter that is willing to spend that much time with my old unit....she is some special lady and I appreciate her willingness to stay and report things as she sees them. Honest to God, we need more like this lady, and I hope we get them soon.
And what's up with bright blue body armor??
To Identify them as Urinalists.
Thanks for posting this.
One of my brothers was in the Screaming Eagles in the early 60s..
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