Soldier rejoins unit after surviving suicide bomb blast.

Defend America News ^ | Jan 23, 2006 | Spc. Lee Elder

[SandRat]

U.S. Army
Sgt. Kareena Lechner

Soldier rejoins unit after surviving
suicide bomb blast.

By U.S. Army Spc. Lee Elder
133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BAQUABAH, Iraq, Jan. 23, 2006 — After being wounded in a suicide bomb blast, a U.S. soldier said there was never any question if she would rejoin her fellow soldiers, just when.

Sgt. Kareena Lechner, assigned military police duties with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, was among six soldiers injured Aug. 23 when an Iraqi with a fake I.D. entered the dining facility at the Provincial Joint Communication Center in Baquabah and blew himself up. Besides taking his own life and destroying the facility, two other U.S. personnel were killed.

"I remember a bright light and the noise," Lechner recalled. "I pretty well remember all of it very vividly."

The blast destroyed both of Lechner's eardrums, left her with cuts and bruises and shrapnel wounds in both legs. She was evacuated to nearby Forward Operating Base Warhorse and later to Logistical Support Area Anaconda.

Lechner was hospitalized for two weeks. When time came for her release, she was told she was being transferred.

"I told them I wanted to come back here," Lechner said. "I insisted on it. I talked to my battalion commander and they let me come back here."

U.S. Army Sgt. Kareena Lechner, of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, insisted that she return to her unit after being wounded in a suicide attack. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Lee Elder

While Lechner has recovered physically and bears no visible scars from the incident, she is reminded of it daily. She has to walk past the demolished site where the facility once stood to get to work. Now, all that remains is the outline of a building on the ground and a few piles of rubble.

"It was hard at first," Lechner said. "I just do not want to let things like that bother me."

"She fought through her injuries and came back," said Staff Sgt. Charles Warner, the unit's operations sergeant. "She's earned a lot of respect around here. She's a good NCO and has a lot of heart."

"Lechner is special to all of us," said Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Chavez, the center's noncommissioned officer in charge, "She asked her superiors to send her back here. That says a lot for her character."

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[SandRat]

One determined tough soldier - NOT WHAT MURTHA DESCRIBES!!!

[livius]

Very good! She definitely has heart! Brave woman.

[mtbopfuyn]

Homicide bomb. The title makes it sound as if she was attempting suicide.

[MEG33]

"Lechner is special to all of us," said Sgt. 1st Class Roberto Chavez, the center's noncommissioned officer in charge, "She asked her superiors to send her back here. That says a lot for her character."

BUMP!

[Diva Betsy Ross]

U.S. Army Sgt. Kareena Lechner, of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment is my hero. Prayers for her.

Karena:Go on girl! :]

[JOE43270]

Little Sister is one of the Best of the Best. God Bless Her.

[Mrs. Shawnlaw]

And a woman to boot!! That's really gotta pi$$ off the terrorists!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT