Heroes may go slower, but they sure persevere

A couple of weeks ago I went to the Saturday super sale at Super 1 Foods in Coeur d'Alene. In the aisles, I met some military vets and of course we traded war stories.

There was a World War II Army Air Force veteran who was a tail gunner in a B-24 in the Philippines. He had some harrowing tales about Japanese Zeroes attacking their formation, and about the American planes that went down, losing his friends who went down with them.

His wife was with him, and it was my pleasure to talk to members of the "Greatest Generation." Thanks to all of you from that era who served in some way - in the military, here at home keeping the home fires burning, or working in the defense industry. How soon people forget the sacrifices you made. Well, not me - and a lot of us here in North Idaho. Kudos to all of you!

I met an Air Force captain who flew C-130 cargo planes in Vietnam; he related how our F-4 Phantoms chased off MIG-17s. He said his main cargo was caskets of those killed in battle. Some of the caskets were marked "Do Not Open." We lost more than 58,000 troops in that war. Their names and those missing in action are etched forever in the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Your sacrifice is not forgotten. And to those who came home like the captain to disdain and humiliation, your service is honorable and demonstrates that the United States is the "Home of the Brave."

In the ice cream aisle I met Robert Rawls and his girlfriend, Ashley. She was wearing a stylized Army jacket so I asked her if she was in the Army. She said no and introduced me to Robert, who is an Army veteran. In talking with him for a while, I realized that his military experience is a story that has to be told. So here it is:

Robert Rawls was born in Spokane, was home-schooled, and earned his G.E.D. here in Coeur d'Alene. Shortly after his 18th birthday in 2005, he joined the Army and seven days later was at Ft. Benning, Ga., to begin his One Station Unit Training for infantry, commonly known as 11 Bravo.

OSUT combines Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training so no relocation is required and utilizes the same cadre. His father flew from Coeur d'Alene to attend Robert's graduation and proudly "pinned" his son's Infantry Blue Cord on his uniform. The shoulder cord is a decoration awarded to infantrymen who successfully complete infantry school.

In April 2007, on duty with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq, Spc. Rawls was second in line driving his Bradley fighting vehicle returning from a security mission. He had just dropped his crew, leaving only him, his gunner Pvt. Hitchcock, and Vehicle Commander Sgt. Booth after securing a building for the Iraqi Police and Security Forces. Rawls had a "sixth sense" about an I.E.D. in the roadway ahead of him. The lead Bradley drove over it but Rawls veered left and it detonated under the engine of his Bradley. The concussion burst dislodged his seat and he was propelled into the top of the driver's hatch, compressing his spine.

"What was that?" he yelled with no response from his crew. Spc. Chapman from the lead Bradley saw the explosion and came to help. Rawls' right leg was pinned and there was fluid over his legs, which was actually engine oil. Chapman had to force the Bradley's gun barrel to the side to open the driver's hatch. He managed to pull Rawls out, telling him that he would be OK, and Rawls said, "I know. I will be eating a cheeseburger soon."

Chapman helped Rawls to his Bradley and took him to the Forward Operating Base for medical help. Sgt. Booth sustained an elbow injury, and Pvt. Hitchcock was not injured.

Spc. Rawls was airlifted to Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany, and the first picture there was of his cheeseburger. His lumbar is fused from L1 to L3 due to the compressive burst fracture of L2. He now has titanium rods and screws holding him together and the doctor told him he would never walk again. Well, being infantry and having a can-do attitude, he was determined to walk again. Now he roams the earth a little slower but he overcame a serious disability. He said his family support and that of his girlfriend, Ashley, have made all the difference.

There are thousands of troopers who have been injured in our wars. Robert is a shining example of fortitude and bravery to overcome a life-changing experience. Positive attitude and family support are what make the difference. He still keeps in touch with Sgt. Booth who lives in Colorado, and they play video games online.

Jack Evensizer is a resident of Dalton Gardens and a retired Infantry Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army.