Posted on 05/01/2012 3:52:13 AM PDT by nevergore
Edited on 05/01/2012 10:53:13 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Earlier this past week you may have heard on Glenn Beck’s radio show Michelle Bachman recounted a story that last Sunday (April 22nd) she was in Afghanistan and stood over a young man who had just lost his left leg in an IED attack.
Let me tell you the rest of the story, that young man had to be PFC. Justin Lansford, (22 years old) whose vehicle was hit by a IED earlier that day. Justin is a close and personal friend of my family, having known him since he was about 14 years old.
He steady dated my daughter through High School and went to all the proms and dances with her. He was an accomplished High School athlete (football) for Brookwood High School here in Georgia. She was his sponsor at his Confirmation. We have been blessed to know him.
As writing this, Justin is fighting for his life at a hospital in Germany. He lost his left leg just above the knee, his spleen was removed, lacerated liver, multiple broken ribs, two fractured femurs, punctured lung and fractured spine. With all that, he still is a fighter and refuses to succumb.
This past Friday, he was to be transferred to Walter Reed but unfortunately has developed A.R.D.S and pneumonia. He remains in a medically induced coma in Germany where doctors now have requested his parents come. They are now there as of this past Saturday.
He is now in the hands of the doctors and God.
we can send him a laptop over there, too, we will make it happen if you like
ask his parents what he has to communicate with home, we will set it up with camera and microphone and voice software if need be
Prayers for God’s blessings on all.
The lovely (and loving) gal Gina Elise from pinups for vets has dropped Justin a line or two.
I interviewed her a few months back, and she is without doubt one of the best people on the planet.
RaceB.
His parents are there (in Germany) and hopefully will be flying back this Friday to Walter Reed with Justin. Both his parents have laptops with cameras with them....
Give it a few days till everything settles down, at that time we will have a better idea of Justin’s needs.
Thank you so much for your generous offer....
Fantastic....as he gets to feeling better I’m sure he will respond to her post....heheheheehe...
Well, she won’t be good for his blood pressure!!!
God bless you all and may God keep you under his protective mantle.
"UPDATE: Justin was awake and talking much of the day. He had a couple of minor procedures done but other than that he was in his ICU bed. Still has a very high white blood cell count but they are working on that.
Justin was able to tell us exactly what happened that night ... so here is his story. The entire Company was assigned a mission. Justin, being the senior gunner, along with his best friend Sgt. G. and a Pvt. who Justin was also very close with took the lead vehicle. As the rounded a turn along a high wall, Justin says it reminded him of films about the Normandy invasion. The a couple minutes into the fight there was a big explosion and he landed face down in the sand with the vehicle crusing one leg. He kept asking Sgt. G. and the First Sgt. not to let him die. A tourniquet was put on his left leg and after they finally got him out he was medivaced. Justin doesn't remember anything past that.
I have been in daily contact with Sgt. G's father and he told me his son is so upset and blames himself for Justin's condition. He felt that Justin would never talk to him again. As I told this to Justin the Army Liaison Officer overheard it and contacted the Commanding Officer in Afghanistan. They foubd Sgt. G. and allowed him to call Justin. Justin reassured Sgt. G. that he wasn't at fault, that they were best friends, and he'd never hold him responsible. Justin also said he was glad this happened to him and not one of the younger Privates. He said he knows he can handle it and was glad that everyone else was safe.
Justin is a tuff guy and I'm sure he will do fine. He was telling jokes and making everyone laugh, just like to guy every one knows and loves. He has a fantastic attitude and can't wait to get started with his recovery. He has thanked all of his nurses and doctors telling them what an honorable job they are doing here and shaking their hands while saying it. They were humbled at the experience and at Justin's genuine feelings towards their service. That's Justin, always wanting to make others feel better. So glad to have him back. "
Jim,
Thank you so much for placing the thread in breaking news...Prayer really works...the doctors held little hope yet look at today’s post at #148....
God Bless
NeverGore
Awesome awesome awesome!!
So glad to hear of Justin’s continuing healing, and that he is really coming back into full consciousness!
Thank you Lord, for blessings without number!
Tatt
Great news. God bless that young man and his family.
Great news! Prayers up for Justin’s recovery! What a guy!!
Now it’s easy to understand why I let him date my daughter for 5 years.....
:^)
Such comforting news. May God Bless Justin and all his mates.
Thank God.
Prayers continue.
What great progress he is making! He still has a long way to go , but this latest update is really something.
Thanks, nevergore, for keeping us up to date. Please tell him that there are lots of people out here who have him in their prayers, and also in their thanks for him being who he is.
Thank you for the update. Prayers continue for his recovery, lower white blood count, and trip back home as soon as possible!
Friday morning Prayer bump for Justin.
Dear Lord, please continue to strengthen this young man, and all those who know and care for him.
Tatt
Just read the latest update from this AM. What a truly awe-inspiring young man, truly demonstrating the warrior’s concern for those around him. Prayers continue for him and his family. God bless him!
"UPDATE: Justin had a tuff flight home. He went into pulmonary edema and his Oxygen saturation levels dropped to the point where Justin was fighting due to hypoxia. They got it under control and it greatly improved once they landed. He took a code 3 ride from Andrews AFB to Bethesda Hospital where he was admitted to the ICU. Kim is in the waiting room next to the ICU and I'm am leaveing our home near Valley Forge in a few minutes. Two steps forward ... one step back. ... that's the way these things go."
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