The Story Of An Injured U.S. Soldier

Nearly every Wednesday since January, 2006 I have held a candlelight vigil to remember all those who have paid a severe price in the U.S.'s Afghan and Iraq Wars. In summarizing last night's vigil, I'd like to tell you the story of 19-year-old U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Jorge Ortiz, a combat photographer. On January 15th, 2011, Jorge was in Afghanistan photographing captured weapons when he stepped on a hidden explosive.

The explosion blew off his legs above his knees, caused a traumatic brain injury and ripped off four fingers on his left hand and the thumb on his right hand. Despite the severity of his wounds and the intense bleeding, Jorge survived. Ultimately, he was taken to the Polytraumatic Rehabilitation Center at the Veterans Hospital in Palo Alto, California to begin a lengthy and painful rehabilitation, in which he will be fitted for prosthetic legs and be taught to walk. Because of the intense pain he suffers, doctors give him strong medications that leave him groggy and don't always relieve his pain.

But the situation gets worse. Like many other U.S. soldiers who have suffered severe brain trauma, Jorge has trouble with his memory and his responses are slow. The powerful pain relievers only make it harder. To support him in his brutal personal battle, his mother and 7-year-old sister have relocated from their home in Fresno to the Fisher House across the street from the VA Hospital, where the military provides free housing. As Jorge faces a long term battle, his sister has enrolled in school.

But despite his horrific injuries there is hope. In March, a determined and joyful Jorge wrote on his Facebook page, "Damn, today was the first day I walked since January 15th this year. I can still remember that day as if it was yesterday. The future is bright for those who try. I guarantee you that because I'm witnessing it myself."

At 19, when many young men are enrolling in college or starting their careers, as they pursue active social lives and chase their dreams, Jorge is left to live a nightmare, including flashbacks that will last his lifetime. And whatever plans his family had are dramatically altered as they valiantly help him to overcome his physical and emotional trauma and build a productive and rewarding life. With Jorge's attitude he will make the most of what is a very special life.

But I share this story with you, because tens of thousands of U.S. and allied soldiers and hundreds of thousands of Afghans and Iraqis and their families live with potentially life shattering injuries for this is what war does. That's why it is not being shown to the American people, otherwise they will not support and pay for these wars. But Jorge is an exception for the Los Angeles Times told his story, a part of which I shared with you. To read more about Jorge, please see http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jun/05/local/la-me-trauma-20110605/2

It is for Jorge Ortiz and his family and the millions of others who have been victimized by these wars that John Fortier and I conduct vigils. This is why we are peace activists seeking to end this horrific blood drenched madness before any more men and women must bury their children and before others join them in suffering a lifetime of personal Hell.

Dick