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A Hard Read

By lex, on December 19th, 2011

Meet Sgt. Collin Raaz, Marine scout sniper, combat leader, double amputee.

One step either way. A matter of inches.

Then a long road ahead.

Part 2 of eight here.

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December 19th, 2011 | Tags: , , | Category: afghanistan, GWOT, marines

6 comments to A Hard Read

  • SK1
    December 19, 2011 at 11:14 am

    Raaz remembers a British crew member yanking one of his bare leg bones off and tossing it aside. Medevac personnel usually take great care to save every bit of flesh or bone. They wrap the most pulverized limbs in dressings and bring surgeons body parts on ice, asking if they can be sewn back on.

    You son of a bitch, Raaz thinks. I might need that.

    Damn…..Like most, we rarely think about how lucky we are to have brave men like him to keep the wolves at bay…SEMPER FI Marine.

  • John
    December 19, 2011 at 2:14 pm

    All gave some, some gave all.

    We can never thank the men (and women) who defend us enough. We must never forget their service, and sacrifice.
    I salute them all.

  • xformed
    December 19, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Men (and women) like these will lead this nation out of the mess the rest of us got it in. It’s all about such an attitude as this Marine. Great story…I bet we hear more about him years from now…

  • Roger
    December 19, 2011 at 6:32 pm

    There but by the grace of God, goes my son.
    I did Vietnam, he did the sandbox.
    We both returned unharmed. Physically.

  • Tim
    December 20, 2011 at 8:29 am

    Stories like this remind me how fortunate we are to have kids willing to continue to serve, regardless of the potential sacrifice. I’ve worn the uniform for 15 years; 8 active and 7 reserve w/ a 9yr break in between and will never feel myself worthy when compared to these Marines and Soldiers.

    The challenges faced by those injured by IED’s are difficult and will be with them the rest of their lives. That is why its so important that we never forget and do whatever we can to aid them. Whether its supporting the Wounded Warrior Project or groups like Team X-T.R.E.M.E., which stands for Train Rehabilitate Empower Motivate and Endure.

    They are a non-profit that I began working with earlier this year, founded by a former Marine, doing a lot of great work with our wounded warriors to aid them in leading a normal life.

    Check them out or identify a similar group and find ways to help them make a difference in the life of a wounded warrior.

    http://www.team-x-treme.org

    My oldest son will be commissioned as a Marine 2nd LT in 2yrs, I can only hope that he doesn’t have to face the challenges of Sgt. Raaz.

    Semper Fi

  • Jim Shawley
    December 20, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Are we deserving of these men and women, and their families? We get the elected officials we deserve. We then get the appointed bureaucrats we deserve because of whom we elected.

    I’m not sure we deserve the Warrior class we now have. These are Men. These are Women. Spartans could have learned from them. We could, if we would. But we’re too busy texting and tweeting, and occupying, and playing the class warfare meme to listen and learn. To change. To return to our greatness.

    Sigh.
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