Friend's injury reinforces seriousness of the war

Naperville soldier can only hope as reports come in

Editor's note: Four years ago, U.S. forces invaded Iraq. Cathy Henderson of Naperville is sharing with Sun readers e-mails sent by her son, Jason, 23, a 2002 graduate of Naperville Central High School. In October, Jason - an Army private first class - began a yearlong stint in Iraq. He is stationed in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, a town about 100 miles west of Baghdad. The Sun will print his e-mails on Tuesdays and Fridays.

We continue with an e-mail Jason sent from Iraq to his mother in February.

From: hondo5321@aol.com

Sent: Monday, Feb. 27, 2007

To: Henderson, Cathy

I think that the time has come to broach a new subject. I know that y'all prolly don't want to hear it, but it is our daily reality over here. I have been writing quite a bit on this since we arrived. I have purposely limited my tendency to comment on these. I think that my original feelings and thoughts convey it best.

Some thoughts on Fear

Sitting on radio guard the other day. It had been an interesting last couple of hours. The enemy was all riled up and had been taking potshots and driveby's at all of our OP's. The radio crackled to life, "7 West in contact."

B and Sgt L. They have a 50 there, no doubt they dish out some hell to whoever was firing at them. B will get a chance to shoot at somebody, which should make for a good dinner conversation tonight at the very least

"casualty at 7 west."

"bradleys inbound"

heavy qrf spinning up"

"gunner took shrapnel to the throat." B was in the gun, (expletive)

"casualty is being transferred to COP."

"2 humvees from 2nd platoon are taking over 7 west for the time being"

"2 tanks are rolling out"

"stand up light qrf"

(expletive). That is B. Silence descends upon the room. One of our guys is down. Shrapnel to the throat. That can't help but be serious. There aren't a whole lot of good spots on the throat to receive shrapnel. Lord I hope he is okay. Say a prayer for him. Everybody standing around the radio, silent.

"I bet it was a casualty in a passing humvee, not one of our guys" somebody just saying what we are all hoping.

"Yea, I'm sure it was," d*** this is hard. Lord, please watch over him. This can't happen, it's too early for us to lose someone, especially my friend. I will be one of the people who will have to go through his stuff. Please God don't give me that job. Please Lord give me the strength to do it, as I know he would do it for me if I fell. I hope he is okay.

The minutes passed: 5, 10, 15. feels like a lifetime. the radio finally comes to life.

"7 West casualty routine, repeat, casualty is routine."

Thank you gracious and wonderful God. Thank you that my friend lives to see another day.

Turns out he was okay. A lot of blood, but okay. It appears that they were taking fire from the other side of the barriers and B went to return fire on the machine gun. The headspace timing was off and it blew up in his face. He was wounded by the explosion. A piece of shrapnel entered his neck, and ended up 4 mm's from his jugular. He will be fine, may not even scar. That was a fear that I don't believe I've ever experienced. Having to sit and listen on the radio as my friend was injured. Sitting with the other guys just waiting to find out how bad it was. Terrible experience. Never wish to do it again.

Those were my thoughts as I recorded them. Even now, looking back on it, I still feel a tug of those emotions. Sitting, listening to static on a radio, my friends life hanging in the balance. It could've been so much worse. I don't know if this does the experience justice, but it was one of the most frightening things I have ever undergone.

Jason O Henderson