shayden

this past sunday i learned the tragic news that my friend and mentor, ltc tim karcher, had both his legs blown off from an IED blast. during our deployment during OIF 06-08, his driver was killed while they were on their way to deliver toys. months later he was shot in the shoulder and lost 75% of his deltoid muscle. now this...

the news brought back overwhelming feelings of guilt, loneliness and nightmares of the fight we faced in diyala, iraq during our deployment. where i used to be surrounded by my army family, they are no where near me. other than through the e-mail updates, we can't be together as we were to help each other through, motivate and encourage one another. not many...nor anyone for that matter really gets it...it leaves me with sleepless nights and exhausted days. my mind can't seem to stop...

though very thankful tim is still alive, i know he will turn this into a blessing - not necessarily for himself, but for others. such an amazing man, others always come first. he will wake up, not angry that his legs are gone, but that he is not able to finish the fight with his men. that is tim.

still, my heart aches. and other than my outlet through 'grace,' i miss my army family and wish now, more than ever, that i was still surrounded by them. 110 deaths and countless injuries made us strong...individually, i sometimes wonder where that strength has gone...

VietnamPT

Not to diminish your feelings - when I read your post, it brought me right back to the day RVN fell. Watching the Helicopter take those people off the roof and a lot of Scotch - the tears poured. WHY did we go, WHY were there so many patients, WHY friends and not me WHY go on to tomorrow - Well, needless to say, tomorrow came and Thanks God continues to come and I get to enjoy two miracle children grow and develop. I continue to pray to those gone as they have a special place in heaven and access that I can only hope to have someday. They are still often my strength. I know they are engraved in my heart and on my soul. You too can and WILL get up tomorrow and get your strength from those you love.

Corky

Hey Shayden....sorry you are in a not so good place right now. I'm with you on the "Army Family". Heck some of us grew up into adulthood while serving. I went in at 17, I always knew wherever I would go in this world I would have Army Family there. I have remained in contact with a few of my greatest friends while serving. A couple of them retired, some medical discharge, and one more in Afghanistan (hope she comes home this month) soon to retire. I never had to experience the loss of any of my comrads while on active duty. However, my job entailed worldwide communications, so I was always aware of any loss of life where I was stationed. I hope you are still in contact with some 'ole friends, maybe you can share how you all are feeling. I have to go but I will chat more soon....Hang in there lady......

mom6

I group up in the Army. I joind the Army on my 17th birthday. I loved what I did and I still miss it 25 years later. I wish I could have done more then I did. I miss the friendships and the feeling of not being alone. I still have friends that I keep in contact with so that I still feel connected. I hope that you will find someone to connect with

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Leslie
Hugs and warm thought from Oregon