I have known this young man all his life. When he was just a kid, his mother wouldn't allow him to have any toy guns, but all he wanted to be when he grew up was a soldier. He would make guns from tree branches and take on the imaginary enemy hordes maneuvering in the woods near his house and finally save the day, usually around supper time. As this young man grew older his persistence grew keener.
In high school he joined the JROTC and excelled to the highest levels of achievement. He was very proud to be part of a team that demanded self discipline and defended the righteousness of our democracy. Right before his senior year, his life's goal was imperiled when he was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of leukemia. During his first week in the hospital, he approached closer to death every hour as his blood counts declined rapidly. His dream of being a soldier was slipping away.
During his eight months of intensive chemotherapy he became friends with other cancer patients, some his own age, many of whom died. And yet he survived and graduated from high school in 2003. Jesse was able to attend his local community college with the occupation of Iraq in full swing. He was able to also start ROTC with hopes that someday he would continue his pursuit of a military career. Most of the services required at least five years of remission before considering a cancer patient for enlistment.
In the fall of 2004, the Army changed their policy because of low enlistment numbers and recruited Jesse into the Army Reserve. He was told that he would be allowed to continue his education to become a nurse, which the Army desperately needed. He happily went off to boot camp followed by truck driving school and, shortly thereafter received orders to Iraq. The recruiters apparently don't understand their own policies.
Jesse was never a believer that the invasion and occupation of Iraq were justified, but he believed in his calling of patriotic service. He was willing to step in, at all cost, to defend what WE stand for. He proudly went to Iraq. He proudly served his country, unlike Dick Cheney, Condi Rice and the Bush twins. He didn't run off to work a campaign in Alabama and duck a call to duty in a foreign war like our very own President. Jesse was proud of his country and I am very proud of him. He is my son.
Yesterday, we were informed he was being emergency evacuated to Germany. It appears his leukemia has returned due to the stresses placed on him. This young man is a patriot hero who was willing to put his life on the line. Today I was able to talk with him. He wasn't able to stand due to the pain he was suffering in his legs from an infection his immune system can not fight off. He faces a bone marrow transplant now and months of chemotherapy if he has relapsed. I asked him how he felt about it. He said he felt lucky. He said that earlier in the day that he was evacuated, there was an attack on a convoy, and he shared the med evac plane to Germany with 52 severely wounded American soldiers. He shared the graphic details of what we don't see, what my Congressmen don't see, what the President doesn't see, what the VP doesn't see, what those who voted them into office don't see. And my son, wearing a face mask to guard against infection because he had no white blood cells, riding on a piece of foam to guard against bruising because he had no platelets, and suffering from severe pain, felt lucky.
Last night, a psychiatrist from our local VA hospital told me of the many, many young soldiers who need psychiatric and medical help. Today, USA Today reported that one out of every four soldiers returning to the U.S. from Iraq now needs continued medical treatments from effects suffered in Iraq. We are also awaiting with dread the death of the 2,000th American soldier in the Iraqi war. Why in the hell are we still there?
Jesse was sent to war by our chicken hawks and all those who voted them in office. I'm angry. I'm worried. I want change. It is time for change.
I decided a few months ago to explore a run for US Congress and now the gloves are off. I am planning to officially announce my run shortly. But for now, any plans for celebration surrounding my announcement have been put on hold.
My hero is coming home.