Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Marine in 'Fall of Baghdad' Photo Injured
AP ^ | Fri, Apr 09, 2004 | KEN KUSMER

Posted on 04/09/2004 6:13:18 PM PDT by Eurotwit

INDIANAPOLIS - A Marine from Indiana whose smiling, cigar-smoking image helped symbolize the fall of Baghdad a year ago suffered severe head injuries in fighting this week in the besieged Iraqi city of Fallujah.

AP Photo

Gunnery Sgt. Nick Popaditch, 36, of Terre Haute, marked Friday's one-year anniversary of the fall at a U.S. military hospital in Landstuhl, Germany. Surgeons removed a piece of shrapnel that lodged near his optic nerve when a rocket-propelled grenade slammed into his tank Tuesday in Fallujah, his wife said Friday.

"He had to have his right eye removed. He's very concerned about that," April Popaditch said from Twentynine Palms, Calif., where her husband is based.

She said they spoke for 45 minutes after his surgery ended.

"I cried to him like anyone would to their loved one. Everything just came out," she said.

She said she told him, "I thank God that you have your two arms and two legs. I thank God for the wonderful Marines who were right around your tank to get you off to safety."

The two, who were married 13 years ago Thursday, also exchanged anniversary greetings. They wed a few days after Nick Popaditch returned from his first tour of duty in Iraq (news - web sites) during the 1991 Persian Gulf War (news - web sites), and now have a 10-year-old son.

April Popaditch spent their wedding anniversary a year ago watching video footage of her husband's tank in Baghdad. An Associated Press photograph captured him smiling and holding a cigar in his hand with a statue of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) looming in the background shortly before it was toppled.

His company finished its Iraq tour last year, but he joined another company that left for the region at the end of February, April Popaditch said. It was sent to Fallujah, where four Americans were killed and mutilated last week. Fighting this week in Fallujah has killed four Marines and more than 280 Iraqis.

"He is one of those Marines who has his hand raised anytime there's something overseas," April Popaditch said. "He says he goes for the people we lost on September 11."

Popaditch probably will be moved to a hospital in the United States within a few days, said Maj. Daniel Smith, executive officer of the 1st Tank Battalion based in Twentynine Palms. Losing an eye will end Popaditch's tank career, Smith said.

"He's been in the tanks enough, so he will be fine with that," April Popaditch said, but she added she hopes her husband can continue in the service.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Germany; News/Current Events; US: Indiana; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: anniversary; cigar; cigarguy; fallofbaghdad; fallujah; iraq; landstuhl; marine; marines; popaditch; semperfi; tankhit; tanks; tb; twentyninepalms
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-139 next last
To: null and void
This seems really personal.May God bless and heal him.May he regain that smile and live many happy years with his family.I am humbled by his service.
41 posted on 04/09/2004 8:04:58 PM PDT by MEG33 (John Kerry's been AWOL for two decades on issues of National Security!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl; Kathy in Alaska; 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub; tomkow6; MoJo2001; Bethbg79; HiJinx; ...
Ping
42 posted on 04/09/2004 8:09:25 PM PDT by Valin (Hating people is like burning down your house to kill a rat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PhilDragoo; snippy_about_it; SAMWolf; E.G.C.; bentfeather; Professional Engineer; GATOR NAVY
Ping
43 posted on 04/09/2004 8:10:51 PM PDT by Valin (Hating people is like burning down your house to kill a rat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: arjay
"It takes folks of extreme courage to fight for freedom. Thank God we have such folks willing to fight and die for freedom."

And for ALL mankind. So many who say we shouldn't be in Iraq are racists or cowards - pure and simple. If America were invaded they would say, "Do nothing it's not my state." If their state were invaded they would say "Do nothing it's not my town." If their town - "Not my street." If their street - "Not my house." If an extended family member - "Not my wife." If his wife - "Not me! Please, please, please not me!"
44 posted on 04/09/2004 8:12:37 PM PDT by Socratic (Yes, there is method in the madness.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Catspaw
OMG, Cigar Man! Prayers for your recover Nick, you have to get well, you're one of our favorites!!!!
45 posted on 04/09/2004 8:12:42 PM PDT by McGavin999 (Expecting others to pay for your enjoyment of FreeRepublic is socialism: Donate now!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: arjay; null and void
 
"Wish You Were Here"

For all the free people that still protest.
You're welcome. We protect you and you are protected by the best.
Your voice is strong and loud,
but who will fight for you? No one standing in your crowd.
We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
wearing the boots and carrying guns.
We are the ones that leave all we own,
to make sure your future is carved in stone.
We are the ones who fight and die,
We might not be able to save the world, Well, at least we try.
We walked the paths to where we are at
and we want no choice other than that.
so when you rally your group to complain,
take a look in the back of your brain.
In order for that flag you love to fly
wars must be fought and young men must die.
We came here to fight for the ones we hold dear.
If that's not respected, we would rather stay here.
So please stop yelling, put down your signs,
and pray for those behind enemy lines.
When the conflict is over and all is well,
be thankful that we chose to go through hell.



Corporal Joshua Miles and all the boys from 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines,
Kuwait 3/9/2003
 
 Baghdad Liberation Day ~ April 9, 2003 ~ OIF Situation Room
 
 
 

46 posted on 04/09/2004 8:13:50 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("We are winning every firefight we engage in." ~ Marine Maj. Gen. Keith Stalder, 4/08/04)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
Prayers ..... He'll pull through
47 posted on 04/09/2004 8:15:08 PM PDT by dennisw (“We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way.” - Toby Keith)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
Oh my, this is so sad, yes indeed he is a favourite.

May God heal this brave warrior. Prayers for his family and his full recovery.
48 posted on 04/09/2004 8:15:17 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~The Dragon Flies' Lair~ Poetry and Prose~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
Thank you so much for posting this. Cigar Man is one of our favorites. Thank God he's alive and I hope the Marines find a good place for him, he sounds like a Marine's Marine.
49 posted on 04/09/2004 8:15:50 PM PDT by McGavin999 (Expecting others to pay for your enjoyment of FreeRepublic is socialism: Donate now!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Valin
Thank You for the ping.
50 posted on 04/09/2004 8:15:50 PM PDT by Soaring Feather (~The Dragon Flies' Lair~ Poetry and Prose~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
Thank you so much for posting this. I hope we can get an address down the line. We'll be thinking of him.
51 posted on 04/09/2004 8:16:57 PM PDT by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
I was debating the war with a die hard lefty friend of mine (we stay friendly if he can keep his mouth shut while we are playing golf) and he hit a nerve. He said that the lives of the brave men killed in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan were wasted.

My first answer to him was this: There are two rules of war, my friend. The first rule is that young men die. The second rule is that you can do NOTHING to change rule number one. Then I told him that the tree of liberty, for all man, must, at times, be fed by the blood of patriots. As he shut his mouth for a bit I told him about a war in Viet Nam, a war he couldn't remember (he wasn't born yet), a war I had fought. I dressed him down, politely and with logic and determination. There is never a life wasted in the defense of freedom, or to liberate the oppressed. Freedom is something God meant to be passed around, and if it took sacrifice, than so be it. Liberty is much more valuable than any other thing on the face of this earth. Money can't buy it, and lies can't keep it. Truth and justice are it's leaves. Happiness is it's root.

Then, the left hook, the last stanza of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic"..."As He died to make men Holy, I will die to make men free".

He didn't say much, I think he was pissed. I don't care! The other guys in the foursome are on my side anyway and shook my hand.

That's what I stand for!

52 posted on 04/09/2004 8:20:38 PM PDT by timydnuc ("Give me Liberty, or give me death"!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
May God bless and keep Sgt. Nick and his wife and son.

What strength and faith and valor this family displays!

I wish Nick a quick recovery and a nice, safe stateside job!
53 posted on 04/09/2004 8:22:00 PM PDT by Palladin (Proud to be a FReeper!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Ragtime Cowgirl
We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.”
Orwell
54 posted on 04/09/2004 8:26:54 PM PDT by Valin (Hating people is like burning down your house to kill a rat)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: timydnuc
That's what I stand for!

My little girl is safely asleep in her room right now. She is probably dreaming about skateboards, gymnastics, and 6th grade math.

Thank you for making that possible. Without you and countless other brave men like you, my family would not be safe tonight.

I mean that.

55 posted on 04/09/2004 8:31:03 PM PDT by Samwise (Kerry can take both sides of an issue in the same sentence without falling off the fence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Valin
Sad. Thanks for the ping Valin.
56 posted on 04/09/2004 8:32:48 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
More Information

http://www.tribstar.com/articles/2004/04/09/news/news01.txt
57 posted on 04/09/2004 8:35:39 PM PDT by Samwise (Kerry can take both sides of an issue in the same sentence without falling off the fence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Timeout
Sgt Nick is our Ceegar Guy...oh no!

Bless his wife who so well understand this hero of a man.

And prayers for the boy who's dad stands tall for us all.

Prayers for a speedy recovery.
58 posted on 04/09/2004 8:39:01 PM PDT by amom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
Please forgive the duplicate post. My bad.
59 posted on 04/09/2004 8:41:23 PM PDT by Samwise (Kerry can take both sides of an issue in the same sentence without falling off the fence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: Eurotwit
God Bless this Marine and his wife!!
60 posted on 04/09/2004 8:44:00 PM PDT by armymarinemom (Bring Them Home Now.org--The Few, The Loud, The Latrine)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-139 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson