thedrifter
03-11-09, 03:41 PM
Wounded sergeant greets his soldiers
Posted On: Wednesday, Mar. 11 2009 05:38 AM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald
FORT HOOD – Luis Rosa-Valentin got something Tuesday morning he's wanted since arising from a coma nearly a year ago.
"Sgt. Rosa! Rejoin your formation!"
Steadied by a friend, he rose from his wheelchair and stepped onto the brown grass toward 200 uniformed soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team. Excited chattering came to a halt as heads turned and a knowing silence fell over the crowd.
This audience knew what was happening. People were more than willing to forgo their reunions for a few minutes so one soldier could have his.
Staff Sgt. Luis Rosa-Valentin was there to check on his guys.
He lost two legs, part of his left arm, his hearing and some of his sight to an explosively formed projectile – a hardcore roadside bomb – but Luis wanted to see that his guys were OK and he came all the way from Maryland to make sure of it.
They were some of his first concerns after coming out of a two-week-long coma, his wife, America, said. Luis wasn't worried about himself. His biggest worry was that the guys saw him get hurt and how that affected them.
Luis was an infantry sergeant on a road patrol in Iraq on April 21, 2008, when a sniper opened fire. A bullet went through his legs and hit a buddy. Luis was on the lookout for snipers when he walked over a bomb 15 minutes later.
Doctors replaced Luis' legs with titanium prosthetics and inserted a hearing aid and cochlear implant in his ears. He made significant progress and began therapy, but leaving the unit in Iraq was always at the back of his mind.
Watching the soldiers come home was good for Luis because he won't have to worry about them as much and can focus on his therapy, said his best friend, Josh Hubbell. The two military brats have been best friends since high school.
Josh was the one who helped Luis walk across the field and stood next to him in the formation.
"It was an honor," he said. "Probably the biggest honor I've ever experienced in my life."
Josh and America stood back as the soldiers were dismissed and a swarm of camouflage surrounded Luis.
"It means everything to him," America said.
Though his life changed April 21, Luis is the same person, his wife said. He will enjoy life with his 4-year-old daughter Milinda and unborn baby girl, who is due in May.
Luis' personality didn't change either, America said. He has the same "crazy mouth" and make jokes like always.
"That day didn't get him. He's still strong and holding on."
Luis remained after the crowds cleared Tuesday, talking with three of the soldiers who sat on the grass in front of his wheelchair. One of them was the soldier who administered life-saving care soon after the bomb exploded.
Someone brought America a folding chair and she sat and listened to the four soldiers exchange stories. It hasn't been easy, Luis admitted to them. He talked about dark times and he talked about God. He talked about the good times, too, laughing with his buddies as they remembered.
Parked in the middle of the 4th Infantry's parade field, a burning cigarette in his remaining hand and tossing out an occasional cuss word, Staff Sgt. Luis Rosa-Valentin was where he wanted to be – with his guys.
Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.
For more
For more on the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division's return, including the experiences of two soldiers' spouses, Haley Fisher and Melanie Pagan, read the March 18 Fort Hood Herald.
A homecoming reunion planned for Friday
Big Joe Lombardi, who named Victory Corner when Fort Hood troops were returning from the Middle East in 1991, is calling upon those who participated in the welcomes back then for a reunion this Friday. A flight of 4th Infantry Division soldiers is expected to pass by the corner at 4 p.m. and Lombardi is hosting a reunion from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (254) 634-7918.
Help welcome 4th Infantry Division troops home
The 4th Infantry wants the public's help to welcome its soldiers today through Monday.
Officials urge members of the local communities to gather at Victory Corner and Fort Hood's Cameron Field to cheer for the soldiers as they return.
Those interested in the welcome at Victory Corner (the corner of Clarke Road and Highway 190) are asked to be there an hour before the scheduled homecoming ceremony.
About 360 soldiers are set to arrive at 7 a.m. at the parade field and about 370 are expected to arrive at 5 p.m. More are expected at 5 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. Monday.
Ceremony times are subject to change, so those interested in welcoming soldiers should check the schedule on the division's Web site, www.hood.army.mil/4id, or call (254) 288-5889.
Ellie
Posted On: Wednesday, Mar. 11 2009 05:38 AM
By Amanda Kim Stairrett
Killeen Daily Herald
FORT HOOD – Luis Rosa-Valentin got something Tuesday morning he's wanted since arising from a coma nearly a year ago.
"Sgt. Rosa! Rejoin your formation!"
Steadied by a friend, he rose from his wheelchair and stepped onto the brown grass toward 200 uniformed soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team. Excited chattering came to a halt as heads turned and a knowing silence fell over the crowd.
This audience knew what was happening. People were more than willing to forgo their reunions for a few minutes so one soldier could have his.
Staff Sgt. Luis Rosa-Valentin was there to check on his guys.
He lost two legs, part of his left arm, his hearing and some of his sight to an explosively formed projectile – a hardcore roadside bomb – but Luis wanted to see that his guys were OK and he came all the way from Maryland to make sure of it.
They were some of his first concerns after coming out of a two-week-long coma, his wife, America, said. Luis wasn't worried about himself. His biggest worry was that the guys saw him get hurt and how that affected them.
Luis was an infantry sergeant on a road patrol in Iraq on April 21, 2008, when a sniper opened fire. A bullet went through his legs and hit a buddy. Luis was on the lookout for snipers when he walked over a bomb 15 minutes later.
Doctors replaced Luis' legs with titanium prosthetics and inserted a hearing aid and cochlear implant in his ears. He made significant progress and began therapy, but leaving the unit in Iraq was always at the back of his mind.
Watching the soldiers come home was good for Luis because he won't have to worry about them as much and can focus on his therapy, said his best friend, Josh Hubbell. The two military brats have been best friends since high school.
Josh was the one who helped Luis walk across the field and stood next to him in the formation.
"It was an honor," he said. "Probably the biggest honor I've ever experienced in my life."
Josh and America stood back as the soldiers were dismissed and a swarm of camouflage surrounded Luis.
"It means everything to him," America said.
Though his life changed April 21, Luis is the same person, his wife said. He will enjoy life with his 4-year-old daughter Milinda and unborn baby girl, who is due in May.
Luis' personality didn't change either, America said. He has the same "crazy mouth" and make jokes like always.
"That day didn't get him. He's still strong and holding on."
Luis remained after the crowds cleared Tuesday, talking with three of the soldiers who sat on the grass in front of his wheelchair. One of them was the soldier who administered life-saving care soon after the bomb exploded.
Someone brought America a folding chair and she sat and listened to the four soldiers exchange stories. It hasn't been easy, Luis admitted to them. He talked about dark times and he talked about God. He talked about the good times, too, laughing with his buddies as they remembered.
Parked in the middle of the 4th Infantry's parade field, a burning cigarette in his remaining hand and tossing out an occasional cuss word, Staff Sgt. Luis Rosa-Valentin was where he wanted to be – with his guys.
Contact Amanda Kim Stairrett at astair@kdhnews.com or (254) 501-7547.
For more
For more on the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division's return, including the experiences of two soldiers' spouses, Haley Fisher and Melanie Pagan, read the March 18 Fort Hood Herald.
A homecoming reunion planned for Friday
Big Joe Lombardi, who named Victory Corner when Fort Hood troops were returning from the Middle East in 1991, is calling upon those who participated in the welcomes back then for a reunion this Friday. A flight of 4th Infantry Division soldiers is expected to pass by the corner at 4 p.m. and Lombardi is hosting a reunion from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call (254) 634-7918.
Help welcome 4th Infantry Division troops home
The 4th Infantry wants the public's help to welcome its soldiers today through Monday.
Officials urge members of the local communities to gather at Victory Corner and Fort Hood's Cameron Field to cheer for the soldiers as they return.
Those interested in the welcome at Victory Corner (the corner of Clarke Road and Highway 190) are asked to be there an hour before the scheduled homecoming ceremony.
About 360 soldiers are set to arrive at 7 a.m. at the parade field and about 370 are expected to arrive at 5 p.m. More are expected at 5 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday and 3 p.m. Monday.
Ceremony times are subject to change, so those interested in welcoming soldiers should check the schedule on the division's Web site, www.hood.army.mil/4id, or call (254) 288-5889.
Ellie