Posted on 05/20/2004 4:40:34 AM PDT by Molly Pitcher
Reservist wounded in Iraq is `gung-ho'
Akron soldier who lost eye is Vietnam vet, wants U.S. to finish job
By Elbert Starks III
Beacon Journal staff writer
WASHINGTON - Jackie Christian shook his head quickly and decisively when asked if he might be considered a hero.
He said, in a quiet, firm voice, ``no,'' when asked if, at the least, he can be considered brave.
Christian, an Akron native, is a staff sergeant in the Army Reserve. He lost his left eye and has only partial use of his left arm after an Easter morning mortar attack on his fuel convoy on the outskirts of Baghdad. Those injuries in the line of duty have earned him a Purple Heart.
So, if he isn't a hero and he isn't brave, what does Christian consider himself to be?
``I'm a patriot. And a soldier,'' Christian said. ``That's all I am.''
Christian, 54, is a 13-year veteran of the Reserve and was assigned to the 660th Transportation Company out of Cadiz, Ohio.
He is undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and is scheduled to undergo eye replacement surgery in June. He said, jokingly, that he asked for a green eye.
Christian has daily therapy, testing and treatment for his left arm, which is wrapped in a type of soft cast. He said the arm is better on some days, but on the worst of them, he can't even grip a phone because of nerve damage.
He is getting used to having reduced vision.
``I trip over myself sometimes,'' he said.
Christian is not bitter about his injuries. He believes the United States is in Iraq for a worthy cause, and he accepts the sacrifices that have to be made.
``I believe it's my duty to serve my country,'' Christian said. ``I'm just a gung-ho guy. If we're over there, I feel I can do my part. And if we have to lay our life down, so be it.''
Christian said he can't forget the details of the attack.
He was riding in a tanker carrying 6,000 gallons of jet fuel -- ``a big bomb,'' he said, laughing -- part of a 20-vehicle convoy that was leaving Baghdad.
``We were trying to avoid Fallujah,'' he said, because that city had become a hot spot for insurgents. ``Then, we hit an I.E.D. (improvised explosive device), and the mortars started.''
Christian said a mortar hit the side of his fuel truck, sending shrapnel into his eye and left arm.
``It hurt. I just saw a light, and boom,'' he said, throwing his arms wide.
Christian has seven children and a wife, Germaine. He is a nurse's aide at Valley View Nursing Home in Akron.
Christian said his days consist mostly of rehab at the hospital and quiet evenings at the bachelor's quarters to which he is assigned.
Lt. Col. Jeff Gambel, staff physician with Walter Reed's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, said soldiers' injuries are treated aggressively. ``The goal here is to return them to their highest level of function, to the highest level of activity possible,'' Gambel said.
Christian said he tries to break up the monotony with long walks. He misses the camaraderie of his unit, which is still deployed after a recent extension of its tour. He says he has a bit of trouble sleeping most nights but looks forward to the weekends, when his wife brings a large contingent of visitors.
Germaine Christian said she has enjoyed visiting her husband.
``I'm really proud of Jack... he came home, and I'm thankful. I'm really thankful for that,'' she said.
This isn't the first conflict in which Christian has fought. He completed a two-year tour in the Vietnam War, and while he doesn't compare that to Iraq, he does hope American leaders have learned from the worst moments of Vietnam.
``We need to finish what we have started. We need to make it safe so they can take over,'' Christian said. ``Maybe we can help (Iraqis) with rebuilding, but we don't have to rebuild everything before we leave. We can give them the tools and the knowledge and let them rebuild themselves.''
Christian is adamant about what must happen when America deems its mission in Iraq is complete.
``We need to get out with the dignity we came in with. No running, no leaving until the job is done. That's how the job should be finished.''
Check this out!
God bless Jackie Christian.
wow, thanks Molly for thread & ping.
sounds a little like "our Ceegar Guy"... but older & local.
I wish more of these stories were public.. not just the negative one... but this is a thread about the great reservist from Akron, not the putrid media!!!
He's wrong. He's a hero.
Hats off to you, Mr. Christian.
Have to run....If you can, would you ping mtntops to this? Can't seem to get his name right to ping him. Thanks, Dolly!
Good story. A salute to an Upper Ohio Valley patriot.
the honor of your presence is requested.....
:)
I thought you couldn't enlist after age 35. Anyone know how this works?
Wonderful, wonderful article - and testimony to the fine men and women serving in harm's way. Thanks, Molly. And a big hello, Dolly.
Connections or lying?
Hello back to you !!!!
It was a great article. Have you been following the material about "Ceegar Guy"?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1138031/posts
When you have some time you can go through both threads..
BTTT!!!!!!!
Great post!..God bless you, Mr.Christian!
We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!
He's my Hero ! God Bless him and his family !
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