11-03-2009, 11:25 PM
So I was sitting here working on bikes as usual and I get a phone call from one of my long time friends dad. He just called to give me the heads up that his son Chris was going to be calling me from Afghanistan where he has been stationed on and off for the last 4 years. Right away Im thinking sweet hes bored out of his mind and probably wants to shoot the shit about bikes like he always does so I keep an eye out for his call.
A few days pass and I finally get the call. We bullshit for a few minutes and I ask him why he sounds so down. He then fills me in on life out in Afghanistan. Basically a lot of stuff that goes on out there doesnt necessarily always make it back to the states. During one of their routine checks one of their vehicles was hit by an IUD killing four soldiers and injuring his best friend. His friends name is SSG James Clark and he had his lower leg demolished by the attack. Basically he suffered a shattered femur, tibula, fibula, and ankle in his right leg and his left leg was so bad they had to amputate it just under the knee. He was in a coma for weeks and he still may have to have his right leg amputated if the infections dont ease up. James and my friend Chris were both stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington State and were die hard motorcycle enthusiasts. They both have bikes and just recently, before deployment, bought 50's to start learning on with intentions of stunting the big bikes when they returned home. Basically James had a dream and a future that was taken away from him in the blink of an eye.
In the last 3 months there have been 19 soldiers killed just in Battalion 1-17 Infantry. Thats insane. While most people sit back here in the states and think that the war is over and nothing is going on there anymore, there are soldiers out there still dying for our freedom. When my friend told me about all this I was blown away. Its that serious in Afghanistan still. He also gave me the address to the Battalions blog to check out.
www.117Afghanistan.blogspot.com
Its insane to see all the soldiers that have passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families. Basically he told me that one of the things that keeps a good amount of the soldiers in his Battalion going is stuntriding. In his Battalion alone there is close to 1000 soldiers! I guess they follow XDL pretty closely and know who all the riders are and what not. He said that a lot of soldiers dont believe him when he says he even knows me lol. Im a nobody. Sure I can ride a bike but Im just an ordinary guy just like everybody else. Its good to see that our sport has contributed a little bit of encouragement to soldiers who are out there protecting our freedom. Im sure every little bit helps.
If anyone is interested in sending anything such as shirts or DVD's out to James Clark or Battalion 1-17 please let me know. Im going to send what I can to show my appreciation. James is being treated at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC.
This is a crazy world and I truly am grateful for all the men and women risking their lives fighting for our freedom. Thank you.
E
A few days pass and I finally get the call. We bullshit for a few minutes and I ask him why he sounds so down. He then fills me in on life out in Afghanistan. Basically a lot of stuff that goes on out there doesnt necessarily always make it back to the states. During one of their routine checks one of their vehicles was hit by an IUD killing four soldiers and injuring his best friend. His friends name is SSG James Clark and he had his lower leg demolished by the attack. Basically he suffered a shattered femur, tibula, fibula, and ankle in his right leg and his left leg was so bad they had to amputate it just under the knee. He was in a coma for weeks and he still may have to have his right leg amputated if the infections dont ease up. James and my friend Chris were both stationed at Ft. Lewis in Washington State and were die hard motorcycle enthusiasts. They both have bikes and just recently, before deployment, bought 50's to start learning on with intentions of stunting the big bikes when they returned home. Basically James had a dream and a future that was taken away from him in the blink of an eye.
In the last 3 months there have been 19 soldiers killed just in Battalion 1-17 Infantry. Thats insane. While most people sit back here in the states and think that the war is over and nothing is going on there anymore, there are soldiers out there still dying for our freedom. When my friend told me about all this I was blown away. Its that serious in Afghanistan still. He also gave me the address to the Battalions blog to check out.
www.117Afghanistan.blogspot.com
Its insane to see all the soldiers that have passed away. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families. Basically he told me that one of the things that keeps a good amount of the soldiers in his Battalion going is stuntriding. In his Battalion alone there is close to 1000 soldiers! I guess they follow XDL pretty closely and know who all the riders are and what not. He said that a lot of soldiers dont believe him when he says he even knows me lol. Im a nobody. Sure I can ride a bike but Im just an ordinary guy just like everybody else. Its good to see that our sport has contributed a little bit of encouragement to soldiers who are out there protecting our freedom. Im sure every little bit helps.
If anyone is interested in sending anything such as shirts or DVD's out to James Clark or Battalion 1-17 please let me know. Im going to send what I can to show my appreciation. James is being treated at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington DC.
This is a crazy world and I truly am grateful for all the men and women risking their lives fighting for our freedom. Thank you.
E
