Paralyzed veteran rates a medal

Valley Press on ^ | Sunday, March 23, 2008. | DENNIS ANDERSON

[BenLurkin]

LANCASTER [CA] - The Army showed up to present a medal for Jerral Hancock. For the millions of soldiers who have earned the Good Conduct Medal - the one sometimes humorously referred to as the "I Didn't Get Caught" ribbon - it may not be such a big deal.

But considering that Hancock, 21, was there to receive it at all, it's a pretty big deal.

Two Army representatives - noncommissioned officers - drove out to the east Lancaster mobile home park where Army Spc. Hancock resides with his wife, Rachel; his little boy, Julius; and his infant daughter, Anastasia.

Playing with your young children, holding them in your lap, giving a little fatherly advice, that also might not seem like such a big deal.

Except for Hancock, all of these everyday, routine processes are both a big deal, and a challenge to get it done.

His 10-month-old little girl bobs in his lap, smiling, her tiny hand on the control of his motorized wheelchair.

Remarkably, the strength in her small hand rivals her father's.

Hancock is a couple of months away from the first anniversary of the devastating injuries he sustained from being nearly killed in an explosives attack on the M-1 Abrams tank in which he was driving in Baghdad.

His tank, at nearly 70 tons, ranks as the heaviest piece of rolling armored firepower in the U.S. arsenal.

But his vehicle fell prey to an EFP, an explosively formed penetrator, a uniquely lethal piece of ordnance believed to have been developed in Iran.

[BenLurkin]

"CHECKING E-MAIL - From left, Rachel Hancock, Spc. Jerral Hancock, Sgt. James Wright, Sgt. First Class Jeffrey Schramm and Stacie, Hancock's mother, check out e-mail." MOLLY HAUXWELL/Valley Press

[SandRat]

Jess Maxcy, executive director of the mobile home manufacturing organization, said "the family asked that we pay off Jerral's home. In doing that, he is free to own it and live in it, to keep it, to sell it. He is free to do what he wants with it.

"We considered this our patriotic duty, and something that we, as a foundation, wanted to do."

HOO-RAH for them, they have heart and pride in this warrior.

[SwatTeam]

There really are more good, compassionate and giving people than the other kind. It is just that the other kind get the most publicity. God bless this young man and his family and thank you for posting this and all the other posts that the media ignores.