Automobile accident? Campus shooting? Son in Iraq or Afghanistan?

I'm intrigued by the call you received, but obviously you don't have to answer the question if you don't feel comfortable.

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It was an incident with my son in Afghanistan. I guess we can call it an auto accident. We are only going to tell the family that he broke his finger on the car door.
I thank God for the technology they have built into the Hummers these days. Last week I didn't care if GM went bankrupt or not. Today I want them to be in existence for another 1000 years.

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Fuck up-armored HMMWV's -- at least the ones we had my two tours in Iraq. They terrified me. As far as I'm concerned, they're death traps. I much preferred cruising around in the plastic-doored (or doorless) Hummers than the up-armored ones. At least the unarmored Hummers could accelerate when we hit the pedal! Sure, they left us a little more vulnerable to direct small-arms fire, but at least we could get the hell out of there when we were fired on! The up-armored ones took forever to accelerate. Plus, more often than not the doors were impossible to open from the inside. I had constant visions that we'd hit a roadside bomb and I'd be trapped inside a burning Hummer, unable to get out. Indeed, I've known guys who still have nightmares of their buddies screaming for help, unable to escape those burning turtles.

Ugh, I hope your son has something better than that. God bless him and I hope he comes home safe.

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I can't speak a lot about his Hummer and how easy it is to open the doors but the vehicle did save him from the explosion.
Thanks for you good wishes.

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Well, yeah, as long as nothing catches on fire, the armor is a blessing. And I'm thankful that your son made it out safe. I know it must be a huge burden on your mind to have a son so far away.

By the way, I thought I'd let you know that you come highly recommended from dfosterf.

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So, I've read that the HMMWVs are being replaced by those new APCs that are being researched. Any news on which one has been chosen?

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Wow.....i'm sure glad your son is ok.
I have no clue what it would be like having a son over there.
My prayers go out to you, your family, and your son.

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In the short term, the replacement of choice is the MRAP, which is what I was hoping David would wind up riding in. The new vehicle that is going to replace the HMMWV is going to have removable armor "compartments" and enough horsepower to get out of it's own way when the armor is installed. (See nonstop's commentary) Unfortunately, David will probably not even get to ride in an MRAP or the HMMWV replacement.

I think WPR said David was working from out of Bagram, on the mentor misson for Afghan police. That is not only a tough job, it is, in my opinion the most important job in Afghanistan. Everyone I know over there thinks highly of the ANA, but the police have so many issues... corruption, tribal trouble, mixed loyalties, etc.

I can't speak for the Army, but ironically, the Marine Corps has been kicking and screaming in a foot-dragging mode over the MRAP. The Corps likes to remain as light as possible for rapid deployment purposes, and the MRAP is anything but light.

That had to have scared the crap out of you and your wife, Wayne... I am beyond relieved that David is OK.

So many posts, so little time.



David's rig did not catch fire or at least he did not mention it to me.
As most parents are, I am concerned for my son (and my daughter) but I learned years ago that there is very little I can do to insure their safety. (see NIU shooting. Both of my kids were on campus and very near the incident.) I had to turn it all over to the Lord. That is the only way I can have any peace.
I am quite enamored w/ dfosterf as well. Not everyone can go fishing and lose their pants in the process. That takes a talent that I can only dream of achieving one day.



I do not know what kind of a vehicle he drives. I am certain it is not the soft top as they have a 50 cal mounted on top of his truck. For the most part I do not ask him a lot of questions. I let him tell me what he wants to relay. That way he does not feel like I am grilling him. A couple of years from now I will sit down and ask him about some of the details.

Cheesey- thank you. I appreciate it.

Dfosterf is correct. David is operating out of Bagram. The good thing is he gets to come back most evenings and gets a half way decent meal. Sleep in his own bed. Fire up his computer and ride the net for a while.

His mission is mentoring the Afghani police. He is now about 6 weeks into it. Before he began he was excited. He thought this was one of the few jobs that would help make a difference in their country. I wonder if he still feels that way or if he has gotten frustrated by the politics.

Ironically when I 1st spoke to my son, I was fine. When I told my wife about the phone call, I was ok. She called me at work a few hours later to tell me that the Army had called us to inform us what happened. They gave her a few more details. It wasn't until about 12 hours after I spoke to my son that I started to grasp how serious it could have been.

Like them or not, I sent a letter to GM CEO Rick Wagoner and thanked him. That truck saved him and his buddies from serious injuries.

By the way, I glad this thread was cut out of the draft thread. I was trying to not side track the other topic.

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I wouldn't know how it feel to have even someone close to me there, but I wish you, and your son, all the best.

I loved his letters you put on the site. I hope he'll return safely.