January 26, 2004
Grimes, a medic riding in another Humvee behind the attacked vehicle, is credited with saving the life of Time Magazine reporter Michael Weisskopf, whose hand was blown off by the grenade. She also treated photographer James Nachtwey, Pfc. Jim Beverly and Pvt. Orion Jenks – all of whom suffered serious shrapnel wounds.
A couple weeks after that Dec. 10 attack, Grimes turned up on the cover of Time Magazine with two sergeants from her unit, Survey Platoon – also known as the Tomb Raiders – of Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment of the 1st Armored Division. The three represent the magazine’s choice for 2003’s Person of the Year – the American Soldier.
Last week, Grimes got to hear President George W. Bush deliver the annual State of the Union address live and in person. She and her Time cover mates, Sgts. Ronald Buxton and Marquette Whiteside, were invited to sit in the first lady’s box for the live event. The next day, the trio headed for New York City for a public relations tour.
Grimes, 26, had no idea she was on the magazine cover when she left Iraq for R&R leave Dec. 23. She was waiting for her flight from Kuwait when a stranger recognized her, showing her the cover. The publicity since then has been a bit overwhelming.
“I didn’t realize how much of an impact it would have,’’ she said, admitting she dodged the media as much as possible while heading home to family in Lebanon, Ind. “I got clobbered immediately (with media attention).’’
She said she’s proud and honored, nonetheless, to represent her fellow service members.