'I heard a tap-tap of gunfire. But I didn't realise my legs had gone'

[LongTomH]

Source: The Guardian UK

Last week the world watched as Barack Obama embraced an Iraq war vet at a Veterans Day ceremony. Tammy Duckworth lost her legs on a mission in Baghdad four years ago. Now she is among a rising number of ex-soldiers reshaping US politics and may yet serve under the new president. Here she talks about her fight for her comrades - and her own fight for life

As the man and woman walked slowly towards the war memorial in Chicago last week, the figure of Barack Obama was instantly recognisable. But as the pair hugged after laying a wreath in the ceremony, it was the young woman who caught the attention of the media and whose photograph flashed around the world.

It was difficult not to notice her. As the President-in-waiting embraced her, it was clear that she was a double amputee. Rarely has the human cost of America's war in Iraq been so painfully and poignantly illustrated.

The woman was Tammy Duckworth, one of the most remarkable figures to emerge from the conflict. Horribly wounded by an insurgent attack, the former helicopter pilot is now part of a wave of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans who are returning home and reshaping US politics. They are running for office, heading government departments and campaigning on issues they care about.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/16/usa-us-foreign-policy-iraq-war-barack-obama

[wundermaus]

1. A True American Hero...

"Tammy Duckworth's name has come up as a possible replacement for Barack Obama in the US Senate. If appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich, Duckworth told News 3 she would be honored to fill the position.

But if the Governor chooses someone else, Duckworth says she's still be more than happy to be the director of veterans affairs."

- http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=6004&type=top

(video at this link) -
http://www.wsiltv.com/p/videos.php?videoID=3471&newsID=6004&type=top&vidType=smMov


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmvheXMaZlA">Obama Honors Veterans
President-elect Barack Obama participates in a wreath-laying ceremony in Chicago with Army Major Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth

[bean fidhleir]

4. My understanding is that she normally prefers trousers.

This looks like a photo-op to me.

Unless they've changed markedly since her wounding, her politics are hardly the best, either.

And, unless you have a different meaning for the word than I do, I don't think she qualifies as a "hero". Her co-pilot probably does, because my understanding is that he rescued her at the risk of his own life. But she doesn't. She was up there in the air killing people on the ground. I find it hard to see any heroism in that. That WO chopper pilot at Mai Lai, now THERE was a Hero with a capital H. But her? Nuh-uh.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

5. What was she killing people with?

[Milspec]

6. Very classy post, not

On 12 November 2004, Duckworth was a helicopter pilot in the Illinois Army National Guard. She had persuaded her superiors to send her to Iraq when her unit was shipped out, just as she was about to be transferred elsewhere. On that fateful date she had piloted her 'bird' over Baghdad from landing zone to landing zone.

Her final stop had been in the green zone, where she had picked up milkshakes, stir-fry food and Christmas decorations. Once back in the air, she heard the sound of bullets hitting the chopper. 'I remember hearing the tap-tap of small-arms fire. I was reaching over for the GPS to record the location and then there was a giant fireball,' she said.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

10. How exactly was my post not classy?

I look forward to your explanation.

David

[Carolann]

13. Classy?

Forgive me...shooting without understanding...a common failing among all of us. I am sorry!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

15. Why are you responding to my question to milspec?

[Carolann]

18. Because...

...like almost everyone else, I misunderstood whom you were speaking to originally. I had hoped I had wiped all traces of my too quick response, but, alas, I goofed up. Little touchy, are we?

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

27. How is it touchy to ask why you are responding for someone else?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

7. You know, I'm a Pacifist, but your post is 100% out of line

And, with a username like yours, it's also ironic as fucking hell.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

11. How is my post out of line?

I simply asked what the poster was accusing this decorated veteran of. I'm baffled by your post.

David

[Skittles]

12. you need to address "bean fidhleir'

medic was responding to bean fidhleir

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

19. ooop -- thanks, Skittles!

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

26. No need to fix the mistake or apologize.

Especially when you criticized me specifically.

David

[wundermaus]

8. Duckworth received a...

Purple Heart on December 3, 2004 and was promoted to Major on December 21 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where she was presented with an Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal. That sounds like a hero to me. As for what you see as heroism... well, let's just say I don't give a rats ass what you think.

[alfredo]

9. She is a friend to our veterans, and is now head of the Illinois Department

of Veterans affairs. She's standing up for us veterans, the least I can do is stand up for her. If you haven't served, you will never understand the bond.

Even though she was seriously wounded,she landed the chopper safely. Keeping her head saved the life of all in that craft.

[ColbertWatcher]

14. "This looks like a photo-op to me." Well, duh. Why is that a problem?

Allow me to show you two photo-ops from this past Veterans' Day






Our leaders are supposed to commemorate holidays and mark solemn occasions. Veterans' Day and Memorial Day are two such days and two examples of why there are photo-ops.

But, back to the two pictures posted above, can you tell me what difference you see between the two?

[Carolann]

16. Sure can...

in case anybody doesn't get it...Bush is having a helluva good time, isn't he? (Have to add that I'll sure be glad when people stop posting that creepy jerk's picture!)

[ColbertWatcher]

20. Sadly, yes. That's one of the differences.

Welcome to DU, btw.

[Carolann]

22. Thanks...

...it's nice of you to notice. It's a bit scary here, isn't it? (And yes, I do know that there are so many differences that it would take a book to point them out.) Thank you, too, for posting such a great contrast of 'photo ops'...sometimes I simply cannot believe how people pick things like this apart. Stuff happens, buddies, live with it...Ms. Duckworth sure is!

[ColbertWatcher]

24. What I cannot believe is that there are some people who EQUATE the two. n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

21. How do you know she "prefers" to wear trousers? n/t

[Javaman]

23. how does flying a transport helicopter equate to killing people on the ground?

man, you like many hit and run posters on DU love to talk the shit but rarely if ever respond when called out.

[Fla Dem]

25. On veterans day I'm glad she bared her sacrifice and service for all to see,

All the better to remind people what war is all about. To many liberals, as well as conservatives, military service is an honorable profession. Unfortunately, once in the military you don't get to pick and chose your C-I-C.

[democrank]

2. She`s really something.

Peace, Tammy Duckworth.

[kevsand]

3. I'm sorry, but why is this breaking news?

[mopinko]

17. she would already be in congress if she had shown the courage on the

campaign trail that she showed that day.
she did not have the courage to come out with a stance one way or another on choice, or even the war. she let her handlers control her completely. like many of the other "fighting dems" of the 04 election, there was no fight to be found. honestly, i have no idea what she believes in.

and personally, i cannot wait for the day that the human species evolves beyond hero worship. it has been a corrosive force in our evolution. we need to get over it.