Got a phone call a little while ago, from Nate. Some of you may remember the fund raising that many of you helped to provide stuff to his special forces team over in the sand pit.

A fellow Spec. Forces member was blown up over there in the middle east a few days ago. He lost his leg and has other serious injuries. Coming into Walter Reed today.

Nate is on his way up from Ft. Bragg to be with him. Prayers and best wishes for the brave SF guy who needs some to help him survive.

We will be sharing dinner with him and whoever is coming with him tonight.

A number of they guys we know have been wounded. Including Nate's best buddy who lost his right leg about midway up his thigh.

A kind of status update on Nate. He has been declared 100% disabled and has refused to accept a medical retirement. Says other SF guys have endured more than he has and will not quit.

Thanks for prayers and or best wishes on his behalf, and for all those guys in SF who go in harm's way.

The entire Elk Hunter family.

Best wishes and wisdom for Nate.

I am grateful for his sacrifice.

Thanks for the update on Nate. It takes a special kind of person to do what he does and his stubbornness shows that.

I'm glad you will be able to enjoy dinner with him tonight.

As an aside, turning down a medical retirement can have consequences later - an aircrew I knew suffered really bad ejection, breaking his leg horribly along with other injuries. He refused the medical retirement offered and struggled / dealt with long lasting pain while regaining flight status after a long rehab.

Fast forward 5 years and he's done with the military, ready to move on... and wanted to go get his medical retirement... well, he's being 'fine' for 5 years, on flight status... so he was denied.

Just food for thought. Bucking up for the fellas is great and noble, but it can have long lasting consequences.

quote:

Originally posted by RHINOWSO:
I'm glad you will be able to enjoy dinner with him tonight.

As an aside, turning down a medical retirement can have consequences later - an aircrew I knew suffered really bad ejection, breaking his leg horribly along with other injuries. He refused the medical retirement offered and struggled / dealt with long lasting pain while regaining flight status after a long rehab.

Fast forward 5 years and he's done with the military, ready to move on... and wanted to go get his medical retirement... well, he's being 'fine' for 5 years, on flight status... so he was denied.

Just food for thought. Bucking up for the fellas is great and noble, but it can have long lasting consequences.

I understand the concern, and thanks for that.

Nate said he was going to be a Green Beret when he was 5 years old. Enlisted as soon as he was able. One of an extremely low number of guys even accepted for selection right out of basic. He had such good recommendations from his NCOs and commander that he went straight into the selection process.

He has been wounded twice. Once in an IED event, and the second time in an ambush by insiders as his team was arriving in the sandbox. Got shot in the jaw that time. Doctors said if the bullet had not been diverted by his helmet buckle it would have gone thru his brain. He was recommended for a Silver Star 4 times, and refused it. Said he had done nothing that the others had not done, or would have done. Said if they forced it he would leave the team.

He did finally accept a Bronze Star (V).

One example, his team was in a firefight and needed more ammo. Nate rode the ATV through enemy fire 4 times hauling ammo. Had all 4 tires shot out, dozens of holes in the vehicle but he was not injured. (somebody looking out for him.)

Anyway, to say we are proud of him would be an extreme understatement!!

Thanks to all who extend best wishes!!!!!!

Hope Nate did have a safe trip and enjoys dinner with his Grandfather. Thanks for update on Nate.

Extend my family and I’s best Christmas wishes and thank him for his noble service

Best wishes for Nate and his buddies, and please convey my family's gratitude for all they do.

quote:

Originally posted by SSgt USMC/Vet:
Hope Nate did have a safe trip and enjoys dinner with his Grandfather. Thanks for update on Nate.

He and his buddy just left. Spent about 3 hours here, had Grandma's home cooked meal, spent a lot of time just talking.

Nice having them here.

They still have about a 4-5 hour trip back to Ft. Bragg. But there are 2 of them, so they can share driving if needed.

Please tell Nate how grateful I am for my freedom and his sacrifices.

In my experience, real heroes always turn the spotlight to someone else. Elk Hunter, you have so many reasons to be proud of your Grandson. I hope you can get him to listen to the advice given him above about disability. I have seen deserving people denied care they rightfully deserved later in life. It is difficult when one is a young man to know what might be needed in the future. His disabilities might not be covered by civilian insurance.

I pray God will bless your Grandson and all of those with which he served. They have paid a high price for my family to live in peace. I am very grateful for their service, more than I can put in words.

I could listen to your Nate and team stories from you all day. Love those guys.

Glad you got to share a meal with him.