Third Iraq tour proves unlucky for Marine

[Barrett808]

Third Iraq tour proves unlucky for Marine
Ex-South Whitehall Twp. resident has jaw shattered by shrapnel.
By Matt Assad
Of The Morning Call

When Allentown Central Catholic graduate David Bednarcik was preparing for his third trip to the battlegrounds of Iraq, he reassured friends and family not to worry, saying ''the insurgents have lousy aim.''

Today, the career Marine might be reconsidering that claim as he lies in a bed at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., the victim of an apparent insurgent attack on his patrol April 21 near Ramadi.

No one is exactly sure how, but Bednarcik's jaw was shattered by shrapnel that hit him while he was riding in a Humvee.

Bednarcik, who grew up in South Whitehall Township, spent two days in intensive care but is now recovering in the military hospital, awaiting a series of surgeries to rebuild his jaw.

''Three inches lower and I would have been attending his funeral instead of visiting him in the hospital,'' said his brother, John Bednarcik of Allentown. ''He can't talk, but he seemed in good spirits. I hope this means he never has to go back to Iraq.''

(more)

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b4_4injured-1.4445583may05,0,2193717.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

[Doctor_J]

1. 3 !@#$%^! tours?

That's it - time for Jenna to enlist.

[MADem]

2. After they totally destroy the Guard, Reserves, Actives and IRR/retireds

They WILL start drafting. We have got to get out of there soon, or we never will...

[babylonsister]

3. I also see no other solution, short of

getting out which I know won't happen, than a draft. Stand by...
Maybe that will piss off the populace finally.

[MADem]

5. Yep, just in time to revive love beads and body paint

...as a fashion statement, along with those muttonchop sideburns and fu manchu moustaches. I can see it coming...we've gone about as bald and hairless as we can get, time to start moving the other way. It'll be a way of identifying yourself as something other than in the military, a mark of protest, as it were. Just like the old days...

History repeating itself...sure feels like that kind of vibe to me.

[AnneD]

12. Do they make support hose

in psychadelic colours? Since * was AWOL and not on the street protesting, he is clueless as to what he is unleashing. We Boomers pressured an end to the Viet Nam war and we STILL are the largest age group. I have no problem enjoying the county's hospitality (jail). And won't they impress a lot of people, beating up an old lady.

[MADem]

14. Hell, they'd better make the orthopedic versions, too!!

I know folks who are in their 80's and beyond who are pissed beyond belief and ready to hit the streets (especially now that the weather is getting fine!).

I really do think we are going to see a bigger "age range" early on, when 'the time comes.' And the time IS gonna come. It won't be easily dismissed--the old "punks in the street" excuse from the Spiro Agnew "Law and Order" crowd will not fly, when a good percentage of those punks are gray, bald not due to fashion choice, wrinkled, and sporting those utilitarian support garments!!!

See you at the protest, darlin'!!!!!!!

[Az_lefty]

4. His 3rd tour ?????

starting to feel a little drafty in here...

[saigon68]

8. 3rd tour? Hmmm

I wonder why he needed the rush? You don't just get "picked" for a third tour at this point unless you volunteer.

Some people groove on danger.

There was a subculture in Nam who volunteered to go back 2, 3 or 4 times. These people were into flaunting danger. Most had severe psychological problems.

[Horse with no Name]

10. I don't think it was by choice

My brother has served two tours over there.
He knew he couldn't get out so when they approached him about re-upping, he told them the only way he would was if they made him non-deployable.
He was stationed in Arizona and when he reupped--he said he had enough of the desert and transferred to North Carolina. He is now a Drill Instructor.
He said that he was stationed with folks who were fixing to get sent for the 3rd time. He said when they were on the plane coming home--that they walked through and asked if anyone was willing to stay.
There weren't any volunteers.
When we were sitting on the couch watching TV during the Christmas holiday, there was a news blurb about oil being discovered in Cuba.
He just shook his head and said we were going there next.
Those guys know the deal--I can't imagine anyone going for a 2nd or 3rd tour over there and not know the deal.

[saigon68]

16. My nephew is there for a second trip

He tell me the WIVES in particular are the biggest influence in the average snuffy NOT REUPPING.

He has had enough and will be getting out.

There are however quite a few people who "GET OFF" on the prospect of danger and adventure.

[Occulus]

6. and, speaking of the draft,

does anyone here have the video clip handy of * saying "We will not have an an all volunteer army..... (pause/silence/crickets)..... we WILL! We WILL have an all-volunteer army!!"

Anyone remember that one? It was on TDS once....

[MADem]

15. I remember it well

But the lamestream media made it a one day story...hell, if Clinton had made that mistake ten years ago and they had the tape, they'd be playing the clip every night and blaming this fuckup of a war on him (and his big dick!!).

[Bigmack]

7. This war is a waste...

Do you think our (civilian) society could use a guy as crazy/brave as this guy? Firefighter... cop.... junior high teacher, maybe?

Why does this country piss away all that courage and dedication in a loser of a war like this one?

Incidentally, this doesn't mean this guy is immune from PTSD. He's living proof that war warps the soldier by making all that stress and violence the most meaningful event of life. Where does he go from there?

[Zerex71]

9. Guess their aim wasn't so lousy, now was it?

[gulfcoastliberal]

11. Thank god for all the billions that "went to the troops" in all those

supplementals. Oops, wait, guess that money was earmarked for KBR and Halliburton instead. Where are the fucking armored Humvees?

[NYC Liberal]

13. "I hope this means he never has to go back to Iraq.''

Unfortunately that is highly unlikely to be the case, considering how they've been sending amputees back onto the battlefield.