M14 Forum

devildog

Just a quick update and thank you for the prayers and offers to help Duncan and his family. He is still at BAMC in San Antonio. The infection is down. He is responding much better than last week. A General came in Tues. to award the Purple Heart. Keep the thoughts and prayers coming! Semper Fi!

Groundhog

I have also been in touch with Duncan's family. As of today, he's still in ICU and will be there for "a long time". I don't have a more specific estimate. They sent me a link to an article that described what happened. I'll post that in a separate post next. It's a good read.

I have asked to visit Duncan once he is out of ICU. I intend to bring him one of our patches and T-shirts. He'll get mine if I can't procure any extras (wink wink, nudge nudge). I have been told he and his family are being extraordinarily well taken care of here at BAMC (Brook Army Medical Center). They are grateful for everyone's prayers and are glad that so many people (like us ) are praying for him. Short of the T-shirt and patch idea, I'd love to hear from any of you others on what would be a nice thing to do for Duncan and/or his family. Any advice would be appreciated. If we come up with something cool, maybe us M14'ers can band together and make it happen.

Groundhog

Here's what happened.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?s...ue&sendemail=1

Unit remembers deadly day, fallen brethren

By Les Neuhaus, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, September 26, 2007


BAGHDAD

At around 10:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning, five men in a Humvee led a five-truck patrol through the traffic of Route Predator, known as one of the deadliest roads in the New Baghdad district of Iraq’s capital. In the vehicle were Sgt. Joel Murray, 26, the truck commander, riding in the front passenger seat; Spc. David Lane, 20, the driver; Pvt. Randy Shelton, 22, the turret gunner; and in the back, Pfcs. Joseph Mixson, 22, and Duncan Crookston, 20. The patrol was on its way to a gas station, where the men of Company C’s 2nd Platoon were taking an engineer to do some assessment work of concrete barriers protecting the location. As the soldiers neared the station at about 10:45, an explosion went off, said Sgt. 1st Class Daniel Smith, 31, who was the acting platoon leader that morning and riding in the fourth vehicle of the convoy. Three of the men — Murray, Lane and Shelton — were killed when an explosively formed penetrator, a weapon favored by Shiite militias, ripped through their Humvee. Two others in the truck suffered multiple amputations and severe burns, altering their lives forever. All of the men were with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan. The brigade did not exist before the U.S. troop “surge,” and was, in fact, created specifically out of the order to push 30,000 more troops into Iraq earlier this year. The Sept. 4 incident was a demonstration of the power of EFPs, which U.S commanders say are smuggled from Iran and can destroy a vehicle in a single blast, punching a hole in the vehicle’s armor, then spraying occupants with a stream of shrapnel. But interviews stemming from that incident show how soldiers can draw strength from each other and come to appreciate each others’ quirks and qualities, even after they’re gone.


‘Everything looked normal’

“We were driving down the road and everything looked normal — just like a normal day,” Smith, a native of Newport, Tenn., began describing the event as it unfolded. “We were driving past some barriers and when the first vehicle drove by [the bomb], they hit it.” He said about 10 seconds after the vehicle was struck, it was “engulfed in flames.” Smith had seen friends die before while deployed to Kosovo in the late 1990s. “But this was something like a scene out of a movie — that is the best way I can describe it,” he continued. “When I got on the scene, it was like time stood still — like everything froze.” He didn’t hear much from the troops, except for Crookston, who was calling out to American Samoa-born Staff Sgt. Asila Ume, 45, who was acting platoon sergeant that day and riding in the second vehicle.

Crookston wanted out of the vehicle.

Ume had already dismounted from his vehicle, he said, having witnessed the roadside bomb hit the Humvee right in front of him and seeing that the vehicle was on fire. The men needed help. “In my mind, I didn’t care if anyone was shooting at me — I needed to get to the truck,” he said. “It was a mess. The first person I got to was Lane.” But Ume said half of Lane’s body was hanging out of the vehicle. Crookston was still calling out to Ume, but two medics were already doing what they could for the men. Both Ume and Smith said Murray was killed instantly, bearing the brunt of the explosion, which slammed into the right side of the Humvee.

Lane died right after being pulled from the vehicle. Hanging on was Shelton, but he had only moments left.


Moving up

From the rear of the convoy, Staff Sgt. Tristan Ruark, 30, and from Clarkston, Wash., said he heard rounds of ammunition “cooking off” from the flames in Murray’s truck and then directed his driver to move up to the front. “Everybody was on the ground doing what they could,” Ruark said. “When I saw Lane, I thought he was making one of the funny-ass faces he was usually making, but ... he wasn’t.”

He said the explosion had scared all of the men, but when everyone realized what had happened, the men went into action. Those who didn’t immediately assist the dead and injured searched the street and nearby buildings for suspects. Another platoon had linked up with the 2nd Platoon just prior to the incident, so those men were on scene, too. And another platoon patrolling nearby came to assist as well. Several Iraqis had also been killed and injured in the blast, and the local populace had run into hiding when the bomb went off.

Meanwhile, Smith shored the men up for a run to nearby Forward Operating Base Loyalty, a three-minute drive from where the incident happened, and ordered the men to get all of the soldiers from the first Humvee into various vehicles to rush them to the base’s hospital. “I told Doc, ‘Whatever you do, don’t let him close his eyes or go to sleep,’<TH>” Smith said, referring to Crookston, who had been hauled into his vehicle for the trip to Loyalty. In the end, Murray, Lane and Shelton died at the scene. Crookston and Mixson were still alive, but were clinging to life. Crookston was badly burned and sustained significant injuries. Both of his legs were amputated, along with his right arm and left hand, and 75 percent of his body was left severely burned.


Made you smile

As for Mixson, the strapping 6-foot-5-inch soldier has lost both of his legs at the knees, according to his buddies. Mixson’s roommate and best friend, Pfc. Kurtiss Baumgartner, a 19-year-old infantryman from Pleasant View, Colo., who is in the 2-16, said Mixson, who hails from Williston, Fla., is known as a fun guy. “He’s the guy everybody wants to be around,” said Baumgartner. “He’s like the class clown of the platoon, but he’d always try to pick you up if you were sucking.” Mixson was dating Baumgartner’s cousin. “He definitely has a way with the ladies,” Baumgartner said. The injured soldier is now in a hospital recovering in the U.S. As for Murray, the truck commander from Salina, Kan., his friends recall him as an infantryman’s infantryman. “He was the epitome of what a leader should be,” said Spc. Jacob Davis, 20, from Lompoc, Calif. “Sgt. Murray never complained.” Lane, from Emporia, Kan., was known for his goofy faces, which would usually elicit laughter from the other troops in the 2-16. “You could have one of the worst days in the world, and then he’d make a face and then you’d smile,” said his roommate Pfc. Joshua Berlongieri, a 21-year-old soldier from Clearwater Beach, Fla. Lane’s roommate was Shelton, a Chicago native, who died alongside him. “Shelton was like the legend of Charlie Company — he was that kind of guy,” Ruark, the truck commander of the last vehicle in the patrol, reminisced. “He was always talking about his sister.”



‘A close group’

Berlongieri and Lane were going to open a truck stop together when they got out of the Army. It was going to be called “Berlane’s,” a fusion of their last names. They had even made T-shirts, committing themselves to the business endeavor. Berlongieri said he will open the garage with the original name. “It will be dedicated to him,” Berlongieri said. Crookston, an airborne infantryman from Denver, was quieter, said friends. “He was always helping us with our computers cause he knew about everything digital,” said Staff Sgt. Welby Richardson, 31, from Gonzales, Texas. He was Murray’s roommate. “Our platoon is very tight and we’re a close group,” said Smith, the platoon sergeant was leading the team on the day the men died. “But we have a job to do, even though this is a very traumatic event for us. I feel like I lost sons.” The soldiers of the 2-16 have a little more than seven months left in Iraq.

flyingfortress

Guys like this are why the USA is the country they run to for help when it's shtf time . Atten Hut !!! hand salute ! ff.

Groundhog

I have been meaning to post this for several days now. I have a string of updates that go from near the beginning of this story to the present. It starts out pretty harsh and ends with pretty good news although Duncan is not out of the woods yet. It really took me some time to digest this. I requested permission to post this to you all and it was granted. I'll make each a separate post so they stick out a little better. These updates are from Barbara Valdez. I think she's an in-law but am not exactly sure of the relation.

This stuff is very moving and made me pretty emotional so you may want to read with caution.

Groundhog

Duncan Update 9/19, Wed.

Dear Family & Friends,

God is beginning to reveal his plans for our Duncan....our soldier is losing the battle. Infection has set in throughout his body and spreading. There is not much more they can do other than continue to treat him and make him comfortable until God decides when He's ready to take him home.

Our Meaghun wants her husband and for them to start the life they dreamed of....traveling, having a home and children.

Chris, Lee and two of their sons are here now. The rest of the family will arrive this morning and tomorrow to say their goodbyes. David and little David will be arriving today to do the same.

God has given Meaghun and us these last two weeks with Duncan and we are grateful for that. We don't know how much longer we have him. The doctor said "it is now in God's hands". We will make the most of the time that God is giving us with him. He is still on the ventilator and we are hoping it will come out today so he can talk to us as we give him the news. He is awake and alert and more then likely has an idea of what is going on. He can hear it Meaghun's voice and can see it in her face. Please pray for us to give us strength thru these next few days, weeks? Please pray for Duncan as God prepares him to take him home. We ask for strength from God and he gives us you.

Thank you, Love Barb & David

Groundhog

Duncan Update 9/24 Monday

Dear Family and Friends,

Not much has changed since we arrived last Tuesday. Duncan went into surgery #5 on Friday and the doctor informed us that the cadaver skin he placed on Duncan's head and face is sticking which doesn't happen in most cases. The fatal infection which set in his head and face was on the surface and removed on Tuesday last week. There is no evidence that the infection is in the deep tissue and in the blood stream at this time. What does this all mean? This means our Duncan is a fighter and your prayers are being heard. The doctor has not changed his diagnosis for Duncan but has seen some positive things like not having infection in the blood stream.

They removed the ventilator on Saturday and he is now breathing on his own again. He is weak and sleeps all of the time. He woke up on Saturday for a few seconds, just long enough to whisper to Meaghun that he loved her so much. He has not been told the diagnosis and will not be told unless he asks, says the Doctor. We visit him each day from noon to 10pm. We eat between visits and then back to visits again. We play music for him and read to him although he sleeps thru it all. Most of Duncan's family had to go back home on Sunday. His mom is still here and will remain here with Meaghun for the duration. A couple of Duncan friends flew down for the weekend to see him too. Everyone, including David, had hoped Duncan would wake-up and have an opportunity to talk to him before they had to go back home. Unfortunately this did not happen. Duncan's brother, Jesse, and his wife, Lesley, are still here and said they are not leaving until he wakes up. Duncan should be going back into surgery either today or tomorrow. The doctor will be checking the status of his skin graphs and checking for infection.

Today a General from the army will present Duncan with a Purple Heart. Anyone with a history in the military will understand this is an award a soldier receives when wounded in battle. Its a formal ceremony we requesed Duncan receive now instead of later.

As for Mixon, the other boy who was wounded along with Duncan, he is doing well. He lost both legs and has the potential of losing his right arm. The doctor is having problems placing the shattered bones. Please pray for him and his family, Joseph Mixon.

I will remain here until Meaghun feels that she no longer needs me here. I have a flight scheduled back for the end of the month. She feels that as long as Duncan's mom is here, she will be okay. I will see what is in store for us this week and go from there. Thank you all again for the prayers and kind words. We believe in miracles and we are hanging on to that.

Love, Barb

Groundhog

Duncan Update 9/25 Tuesday a.m.-Purple Heart

Dear Family & Friends,

We were warned from day one the recovery process would be a rollercoaster. This week we feel we are on an upslope. Duncan has been able to avoid surgery these last couple days which is very good thing. Each time he goes into surgery, things tend to go down which is a normal process from what we are being told. Dr. White informed us yesterday that he was not going to take Duncan into surgery until later this week. He looked over his burns and there is still no visable sign of the mucor infection returning. Yeah! This is the news we like to hear. Surgery #6 later this week will consist of scrubing him down and cleaning him up.

Duncan is beginning to wake-up but does not say much. We know he can hear us because he will occasionaly respond to us when we ask him a question. Yesterday was a busy and exhausting day for him. The doctor placed Duncan in the "pink" chair yesterday. Everyone around here calls it the pink cadillac. The chair is a transtion in their recovery. This forces the patients to sit up and allow for better breathing and better circulation. They say grown men cry and beg to be taken out of the chair and placed back in their bed. Duncan was in the chair for 5 hours yesterday. He did great.

Attached is the program and photos of the Purple Heart Ceremony. We were not able to take pictures inside Duncan's room but the ceremony was very nice. They are pictures of the individuals help make the ceremony happen and Duncan's mom, sister-in-law, brother and of course Meaghun and me. The program tells a little about how this award came about. I hope you enjoy the photos.

Duncan is still in critiical condition and has his ups and downs each day. Please continue to pray for him.

Love Barb

Groundhog

Duncan Update 10/1 Monday P.M.

Dear Family & Friends,

Sorry its been awhile since the last update...a lot has happened but not much has changed. On Tuesday 9/25, after my last update, they ended-up taking Duncan into Surgery #6 after all. When Duncan was first injured in Iraq, they opened his abdomen which is a standard procedure by the doctors to check for internal damage, which is a common injury for those involved in these IED bombings. When Duncan arrived in San Antonio, they closed him up because he did not have any internal injuries. Unfortunately, because Duncan's body is fighting so many battles, the abdomen did not heal and opened on its own again. The doctor had to go back and clean this up and has left it open and will remain open until he feels his body can heal. It can stay open for weeks or months depending on how quick or slow Duncan's body can heal. Again, this is common for these soldiers.

Surgery #7 happened on Friday. They cleaned up his wounds and still no sign of the mucor infection "for now" said the doctor. Duncan still does not talk much. He is very sick and very tired. The first week in San Antonio, he had a lot to say and now he only has enough energy to tell Meaghun that he loves her every once in awhile. I wish I had the talent to describe the beautiful love story I witness each day between Meaghun and her babe. God has blessed her with a man who loves her completely and God blessed him with a woman who is ready and willing to devote her whole life to love and care for him. At times, some question God's presence in all of this but I see it every day.

On Sunday, they said he has a respiratory infection which they are not too concerned about at this time. I asked if this was the beginning of possilbe phenomia and the doctor said he already had phenomia??? This was a first we heard of this. I think I need to ask more questions. Today, Duncan was put in the pink cadillac for a couple hours today. He did super!

I am back in Denver trying to bury myself in my family and my work, being in San Antonio allowed me to feel that I was contributing, helping. Here... you feel so helpless. Some of you have been asking for the foundation information for Megs and Duncan. We should have this soon and will send it out once we get it. Thank you to those who have already contributed. This has allowed Duncan's family and our family to travel back and forth and rent a car to get around. There are outside foundations to help with these expenses but they also have limited resources. Thanks to all of you for your prayers which we need the most.

I will be going back for a long weekend on Oct. 18th. This is Meaghun and Duncan's first wedding anniversary. I attached family photos of Duncan, Meaghun and his family. They took these photos when Duncan was out here on leave back in May. I thought you might enjoy them.

Love, Barb

Groundhog

Duncan Update 10/8 Monday

Dear Family and Friends,

Last Thursday was Duncan's one month Alive Day! This is a term used by soldiers who nearly lost their lives in this war. We are happy we still have him and he is fighting. One of the doctors who gave us the grim news last month had more positive things to say today. She said, Duncan is a fighter and he is still "mucor" infection free for now. They have plans to do skin graphing with his own skin on Thursday since the cadaver skin has been sticking. The procedure requires they sand down the first layer of bone until they reach the soft tissue (blood) and then skin graph with his own skin. This will happen in the check and forehead area. When I spoke to Meaghun on Saturday, she said Duncan was fiery Friday evening. He was getting upset that his back was itching and couldn't scratch it, they can only give him benadryl for something like this since his back is burned. She told him that as insensitive as it sounded, she was happy to see he move so much. They have found bacteria in his blood and treating him with an antibiotic. He only had a respiratory infection last week which has now developed into pneumonia. They placed him on the ventilator again to help him with his breathing late last night. The doctor keeps reminding us that these are common conditions that can be controlled with treatment and we are not to be too concerned, easier said then done huh! Meaghun said yesterday was a tough day for him. Meaghun and Lee are hoping the pneumonia doesn't delay the surgery on Thursday. The longer they delay this surgery, the longer he stays exposed to possible infection. Duncan asked the nurse if he was ever going to make it out of there. Meaghun and Lee said the nurse did a very good job explaining that he was in the best possible place for his care and he needed to keep fighting. Please keep praying for our guy.

Meaghun's birthday is on Friday and Samantha is going out there to spend their birthdays together and to visit Duncan. As I mentioned before, I will go out on the 18th for Meaghun and Duncan's 1 year anniversary. It would be nice for Meaghun to get a card from her aunites, uncles and cousins. Here is her addess again.....Meaghun Crookston c/o Powless Guest House 3298 George C. Beach Road, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas 78234-7569. Rachel is looking into sending Maria with me on the 17th. Meghan Lee has plans to visit at the end of the month.

Meaghun and Lee went to meet and visit with Mixon, his family asked if they would do this. He is doing better and should be discharged for outpatient care. Meaghun said he is now out and about and is getting around the hospital in a wheelchair. Mixon has plans to visit Duncan for the first time this week. He also informed us that Duncan was in training that day and this was not his usual position. He would have been in another vehicle if it weren't for the training. Don't know how to respond to that one!

Anderson, one of the soldiers who was in the vehicle behind Duncan was there to visit both Mixon and Duncan as part of his leave. He told Duncan a little about the memorial service for the other three soldiers who didn't survive the bombing. This was the first time Duncan heard about the other three soldiers dieing. Lee thought it was good that this news came from one of the soldiers who had been there. He also told them and little more about what happened that day. He said the soldier by the name of Ume, ripped the door off Duncan's vehicle to pull him out. They did their best to keep Duncan conscious for as long as they could. They kept asking Duncan if he loved his wife and he would scream loudly that he loved his wife. The soldiers in his platoon loved Duncan because he was the computer guru and would bake bread for them. Duncan loves to bake. He had Meaghun send him a breadmaker and mix before he was injured.

Meaghun and Lee are doing well. Most of their time is spent visiting Duncan and finding things to do in-between visits. Chris and Casey, Duncan's dad and little brother will also be visiting this weekend. Duncan is being told all the wonderful things people are doing for him back at home, i.e. prayer rolls he is on, Little David's football team, Bear Creek Grizzlies, dedicated their whole season to Duncan and placed stickers on the back of their helmets of the flag with Duncan's name on it, Warner & Warner is sending care packages to his platoon back in Iraq and many more wonderful things. Since we are not seeing much change in Duncan's condition from one week to the next, my updates will come as we get new information. Although I may not be sending as many updates, please keep praying for Duncan and know we appreciate it and everything else you are doing. I've also attached a link to something that was sent to us. You may need to copy and paste this. When you have some time, take a look at it. It is very nice.

Love

Barb & Dave


A SONG FROM A SOLDIER (HERO) IN IRAQ

WOW..very moving!

This loads fast, so watch and listen.

This soldier produced video is different, moving and heartwarming.

http://www.flashdemo.net/gallery/wake/index.htm

Groundhog

Duncan Update 10/11/07

Dear Friends and Family,

The Lord has heard your prayers. Duncan was in surgery yesterday and the doctor has given us FABULOUS news. The mucor infection which set in last month and was eventually going to take his life, is now "OUT OF THE PICTURE", says the doctor. You don't understand how wonderful this is, our Duncan has a chance of surviving once again. From day one, Dr. White has been very honest and upfront about Duncan's diagnosis and has been very careful about not giving us false hope. This is huge that he is now telling us the mucor infection is out of the picture. Out of all the patients Dr. White has seen, there was only one other soldier to survive this type of infection. We can now say Duncan is no. 2! We believed and prayed for a miracle and God delivered.

Dr. White says for the number of surgeries Duncan has had so far, he is doing better then expected. He is very responsive and things are healing. He is a true soldier. They ended up closing both leg limbs and skin graphing them with his own skin along with his face. He is still on a ventilator but Meaghun said he was very responsive last night and seemed to be doing well. He is still fighting the pneumonia in both lungs. He is only on 40% of the ventilator which is great, this means he is breathing on his own the other 60%. Dr. said the pneumonia has not improved but it also hasn't worsened. If it doesn't improve in the next 3-5 days, they will put in a trachea which will be better for him. Dr. said Duncan's stomach, at this point, will not close on its own. He is having to place something else there which will fuse to his tissue and then skin graph that area later to close this up. He has never had a problem with this procedure.

This is all wonderful news and Thanks to God and thanks to all of you. Duncan still has a long road ahead of him but has everything he needs, Meaghun and Lee by his side, excellent doctors and nurses and all our wonderful family and friends praying for him. Please keep praying.

Love Barb & Dave

flyingfortress

Greg, thanks for the posts and the up dates. Gotta confess that my eyes got very watery while reading all this. That being said however I know that God is capable of healing this young soldier and my prayers will be in that direction unless I'm shown otherwise. I'll also pray for comfort peace and strength for the entire family. Again thanks for the time and effort in this. All the best Craig/ff.

devildog

Meaghan, Duncan's wife called today. Duncan's blood is septic again. Doctors not overly concerned but it just goes to show he's not out of the woods. Their first wedding anniversary is tomorrow (Thursday). Heck of a load for these kids. Keep those prayers coming and thank you for your support of these fine families. Semper Fi

m1a shooter

Thanks for the update, I've been praying for this warrior from the start and will continue to do so.

Groundhog

Just in today...

Dear Family & Friends,

I arrived in San Antonio late Wed. night. I didn't have an opportunity to visit Duncan until yesterday. Wow, he is doing so much better from when I left on Sept. 30th. As I had mentioned in my previous email, they skin graphed his face and the graphs are doing great. They removed his bandages yesterday for the first time and he looks much better then we imagined. He will still need several plastic surgeries to get him somewhere close to what he looked like before. You will not believe how responsive he is right now. He mostly communicates with shakes and nodding of his head. I can be having a conversation with Meaghun in his room and he will join-in in the conversation by moving his head and giving his opinion in the matter. I just love it! There are only two people allowed in the room to visit and there are three of us right now having to share the visit time. I didn't want to leave his room, it made me feel so good to see him doing so well.

He was on the ventilator in the morning, but it was removed by the evening. He doesn't talk much and keeps his communication limited to head and shoulder movement. He said it takes a lot of energy for him to talk except , of course, when he asks for "ice chips". If he does get anything out, its usually, "WATER!" and "ICE CHIPS, please!". We received a call from the doctor this morning that they are taking him into surgery again today. They are cleaning him up and they are concerned that the pneumonia is getting worse. I want to correct a mistake I made in my last email, his leg limbs are not closed up yet. We still aren't sure when this will happen. Most of this body is skin graphed with the exception of 15% which is good news. He still has good days and bad days and I was happy to see him doing so well yesterday.

We are so proud of Meaghun. She is going through a very difficult time but handling this better then I could have imagined. She has seen Duncan suffer over these last 7 weeks and found the courage to ask him if he wanted to continue to fight. He said yes! He is aware of the extent of his injuries and has the will to live and is fighting for his life, so please continue to pray for our soldier.

We have a wonderful friend by the name of Chip Botts who has been extremely helpful in setting up a foundation. The process wasn't difficult but it took some time so thank you for your patience. We have been asked by several people what they can do to help. We asked them to pray for Duncan, which they have. Some feel the need to do more and have asked to send a donation so we set up the trust. The funds will be used for Duncan's care outside what the Army can't provide. It will also assist both families with the added travel expenses we are making back and forth from Denver to San Antonio. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed directly and for those of who have been praying for Duncan.

The Duncan Crookston Trust has been set up thru Chase Bank. If you wish to make a contribution you can stop at any Chase Bank in the U.S. and let them know you want to make a deposit to the fund. You will need to provide them the account number. They will not give you account information at the branch so be sure to have this with you. For anyone who would like to wire funds, you will also need to provide a routing number. If you need a copy of the trust agreement, email me and I would be happy to send this to you. Below is all of the account information.

Thank you again.

Barb & Dave Valdez

Duncan Crookston Trust
Chase Bank
Acct. # 1635716796
Routing #102001017