Marine in 'Fall of Baghdad' Photo Injured

AP ^ | Fri, Apr 09, 2004 | KEN KUSMER

[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.

[Happy2BMe]

They didn't get it the first time.

A REPEAT performance is now on the marquee . .

How soon we forget . . .

---

[maica]

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!


@@@

Do you mind if I commit to memory what you said to your friend? Between now and next November, we all have to speak up. The rule of polite society not to discuss religion or politics has to be amended between now and November. The future course of our country really depends upon have the right people in office. We have to consider ourselves patriots when we challenge the assumptions of our leftist acquaintances.

[DollyCali]

Oh, Man.. he was our "belly girl".. and still is! He has had a place of "honor" on my profile page... God heal him quickly.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Saddam sons killed in loo [bathroom]

$30 Million worth of trash

Uday Hussein, left, and Qusay Hussein

They're dead, Jim.

[angelwings49]

Oh No! Not OUR Ceegar Guy!!! God Bless you, Sgt. Nick, our thoughts and prayers are with you!!!

(I feel so sad about this!)

[Sacajaweau]

Whenever I felt down, Ceegar Man made my day. I hope we can do something to lift his spirits. (Tell his wife, I think she's a "lucky Lady", despite all. She has his heart.

Any address would be appreciated!

[Happy2BMe]

hehe . . from a prince in a palace to a pile of $hi! on the floor of a loo - befitting. Very befitting.

[Jackie-O]

Oh No Dolli! Not our Ceegar Guy! Are you sure it's him?
Dear Lord! Prayers for his speedy recovery, his family, and the rest of our men and women who are in harms way!

[Jackie-O]

By the way, I still have Ceegar Guy and Spec OPS guy as my favorite screen savers/wallpaper on my cell phone. Our men and women in the forces are true Heroes!

[Angelwood]

Thank God for heroes like Gunnery Sgt. Popaditch. Prayers for a speedy recovery. Thanks to him and his family for their sacrifices in our ongoing war on terrorism.

[dagoofyfoot]

Sadness....and prayers for the true heroes.

[DollyCali]

(and I still don't know how you get a screen saver on your cell phone !) I am just thankful that I can usually make/receive phone calls w/mine (not too technically suave).

Prayers for him. I just emailed my "military friendly" email list..as many have commented on Ceegar's pix on my profile page..

Have a nice holiday Jackie.. I am going to a welcome home party for a freeper son that just returned from Iraq. Looking forward to that. Real Flesh with real stories & not the media spin/crap.

[TexKat]

I just got off the telephone with the very kind Dolores Popaditch, Gunnery Sgt Nick Popaditch's mother. She stated that GS Popaditch better known to us as Ceegar Guy was still in Germany at the present. She wanted to know if we were some anti-war group. I assured her that we were not, and informed her of our name and who we are. She informed me that they are Republicans.

I began to tell her how we had been following Nick and before I could finish she referred to the April 9th photo. Mrs. Popaditch said that this had been the third time that Nick was in Iraq, this time to relieve the army guys. We chitchat for awile, and then I asked if she thought that it would be okay to send cards to Mr. and Mrs. Nick Popaditch, in which she replied, sure and gave me their address.

If you wish to send this brave American hero a card, etc., please e-mail me and include your FR name so that I will know that you are a member of FR.

I do not want to post their address on the net.

Thanks to Nick, April, and to Nick's parents for giving so much in order to help others around the world.

E-mail: paspop2004@yahoo.com

[amom]

Excellent TexKat. Count me IN! Thanks.

[TexKat]

You've got mail.

[TexKat]

Ping

[hoosiermama]

Card on the way!

[MeekOneGOP]

See #94 (pinging General Interest AND Texas lists here) ...

Marine in 'Fall of Baghdad' Photo Injured

Excerpt:

If you wish to send this brave American hero a card, etc., please e-mail me
and include your FR name so that I will know that you are a member of FR.

< snip >

E-mail: paspop2004@yahoo.com


Please let me know if you want ON or OFF my General Interest ping list!. . .don't be shy.

[DollyCali]

Most excellent work TK.. and great you talked to his mom.. I am sure that you helped her by your words. Moms are always moms, as you know... and they will always be our "little boys" even as big hunky, marines.

BTW..how is your "little boy" doing?

EMAIL....