thedrifter
07-09-07, 06:25 AM
War Story: SGT. Tom Mortenson
Soldier fights a battle in Iraq and at home
Mike Warner
12 News
Jul. 3, 2007 12:27 PM
SGT. Tom Mortenson is a career military man with over 17 years in the Marines and Army. He served in the Persian Gulf War in 1990, and after 9 - 11, volunteered to go back to Iraq. Mortenson deployed to Iraq in July of 2004, where his team helped train the New Iraqi Army. The team trained Iraqi soldiers in every aspect of the military, including boot camp tactics, strategy, teamwork and other combat related tactics. Mortenson's team went out on daily patrols with the New Iraqi Army, and did everything from convoy protection to house to house searches.
The team dealt with gunfire and other hostile actions, including I-E-D's. Mortenson says that an American major had his legs blown off during one incident, and an Iraqi soldier lost his life in another. But Mortenson and his team were able to all make it home safely.
During his time in Iraq, SGT. Mortenson was fighting another battle. Tom and his wife, Evangeline, had been desperately trying to have a baby but had been unsuccessful. In fact, the couple had gone through artificial insemination seven times. Evangeline became pregnant, but on the night Tom left for Iraq, she had a miscarriage. With his wife's blessing, Tom continued on to Iraq. Evangeline had two more miscarriages in the months that followed, and the couple were concerned they would not be able to have a child.
In May of 2007, the Mortenson's prayers were answered with the birth of their son, Keanu Colt Mortenson. A few weeks later, Tom was called upon to return to Iraq. Because of his new job as an Army Reserve career couselor, and the birth of his son, Tom was allowed to stay. But given the opportunity, Tom says he would love to go back to Iraq to finish a job he says is very gratifying.
Ellie
Soldier fights a battle in Iraq and at home
Mike Warner
12 News
Jul. 3, 2007 12:27 PM
SGT. Tom Mortenson is a career military man with over 17 years in the Marines and Army. He served in the Persian Gulf War in 1990, and after 9 - 11, volunteered to go back to Iraq. Mortenson deployed to Iraq in July of 2004, where his team helped train the New Iraqi Army. The team trained Iraqi soldiers in every aspect of the military, including boot camp tactics, strategy, teamwork and other combat related tactics. Mortenson's team went out on daily patrols with the New Iraqi Army, and did everything from convoy protection to house to house searches.
The team dealt with gunfire and other hostile actions, including I-E-D's. Mortenson says that an American major had his legs blown off during one incident, and an Iraqi soldier lost his life in another. But Mortenson and his team were able to all make it home safely.
During his time in Iraq, SGT. Mortenson was fighting another battle. Tom and his wife, Evangeline, had been desperately trying to have a baby but had been unsuccessful. In fact, the couple had gone through artificial insemination seven times. Evangeline became pregnant, but on the night Tom left for Iraq, she had a miscarriage. With his wife's blessing, Tom continued on to Iraq. Evangeline had two more miscarriages in the months that followed, and the couple were concerned they would not be able to have a child.
In May of 2007, the Mortenson's prayers were answered with the birth of their son, Keanu Colt Mortenson. A few weeks later, Tom was called upon to return to Iraq. Because of his new job as an Army Reserve career couselor, and the birth of his son, Tom was allowed to stay. But given the opportunity, Tom says he would love to go back to Iraq to finish a job he says is very gratifying.
Ellie