Off My Chest

[Winnie G]

Last night my neighbor called last night asking if she could come over later and talk to my husband and my self. I told her sure; we were in for the night.

When I hung up my husband looked at me and said “what was that about”?

I told him the neighbor needs to talk to us. “OK about what” I said, she said she could not talk around the children.

He asked what she sounded like, “Her voice was odd like those calls you get when they need to tell your child has does something wrong? OK

Around nine, the phone rang again and she finely told me what was wrong. Her baby was up and could not come over.

We lost one of our solders two months ago to friendly fire.

It was her husband’s best friend. My hart just sunk, she said her husband was coming home this weekend. He is being sent home.

She know I know who to reach for the base councilor. I retired from the military family resource center not that long ago. She is very worried for her husband.

On top of it, all they are charging her husband.

She said they were in a convoy and there was six in a (can remember what it is called) like an armored Humvee they came under fire and a gun went off in side the Humvee.

His friend got out with the rest behind him and he saw smoke coming from his friend’s chest he went to his friend’s aid and thought his vest was in fire and he patted his chest down thinking he had to put it out.

That is when he realized he was dead, he held him crying until help arrived.

The investigators now say it was his rifle was the one that went off. That he did not have his safety on.

He swears it was not his rifle and is confused as to how it all happened.

She is scared and worried that her husband is not coming home himself.

We talked for a long time and I gave her the info who what and were to go.

When I hung up and told my husband he said "R" would face a court-martial in the death.

He also said if the army was looking for a scapegoat, they have to pick someone. My hubby said that “R” was a professional soldier and he could not see “R” leaving the safety off. He is too good at what he does.

I told her we would be there for them and if they needed anything just ask.

My thoughts are it was an accident in theater, why do they have to get their pound of flesh on top of it?

Do they have to say it was that one gun in a vehicle of guns? It’s not like they had nothing better to do.

Oh Ill shoot and kill my best friend.

Their a wonderful young couple they just had their third child this spring. their three year old is my grand daughters best friend.

[pushka]

My heart goes out to your friends, Winnie...what a terrible, tragic accident.

I agree that the companions of the soldier who died ought to be spared the arguments about whose rifle went off...they never even told firing squads which guns killed those they were executing.

Sadly, looking at it from the army's pov, I suppose they feel they need to make sure everyone is aware so that something like this doesn't happen again.

I don't know anything about guns and their safety catches, I wonder if it could've been knocked off accidentally in the scramble?

[Winnie G]

Your right Pushka, My hubby said he gave it a lot of thought today and said that a safety could be knocked off accidentally by a boot in the scramble to get out of the Humvee. He also said that they are trained to hit the ground with their thumb on the safety so they can fire back as soon as they hit the ground.

This young couple is more our children’s age, they hang out with them when they visit.

My husband knows “R” from training classes and work, which is why he says “R” is a professional soldier, meaning he knows what he is doing. Not just some grunt with a gun. he said after 26 years he know one to see one, He trained alot of "R"'s men.

When I came home today I realized that “R”’s wife probably will not do the house in yellow ribbons like all the others when their husband comes home.

Do you think it would be a good idea to do it for them while she is at the airport picking him up?

Yes, he is coming home with this hanging over his head but he is coming home????????????

I do not know what do you think.

[StrawberryFields]

Winnie this is such a sad story.

I have to wonder why they feel the need to pin point who's gun accidently went off. Does an investigation like this happen everything they have a death due to friendly fire? Who is it the presses charges, the widow or the army?

About the yellow ribbons.... What about doing a sign saying "We Love You "R" with yellow ribbons on the sign?

You are right, he is coming home under different circumstances so maybe a little different method of Welcome home is in order? I have never have anyone come home from the military so I don't know what is wrapped up in the emotions of it all. I was just a thought I had.

My heart goes out to those who are involved in this.Let us know how it goes.

[CaptainTux]

I have to wonder why they feel the need to pin point who's gun accidently went off. Does an investigation like this happen everything they have a death due to friendly fire? Who is it the presses charges, the widow or the army?

In most cases an investigation occurs. This is not as insidious as you might think. A soldier is dead. It is always a sad event and when the bullet has an American flag on it, it is even more unfortunate. An investigation as to the reason for the death by freindly fire is necessary...not to assign blame, but to understand what went wrong and see if there are means to implement protocols that will reduce future friendly fire incidents.

In most cases, a “friendly fire” inquiry clears the soldier completely and is determined it to be “an accident resulting from the chaos of combat” due to "the fog of war". In rare, but not unheard of situations, charges including, but limited to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault and dereliction of duty can be placed on a soldier who could face military prison.

For those that do not understand the term fog of war, here is a wonderful explanation for civilians that I read once

Wait until after sunset and watch the first 20 minutes of Saving Private Ryan.

Rewind it and play it again, except this time turn up the volume until the windows start rattling.

Close the curtains and turn off all the lights to make the room as dark as possible.

Set off a smoke bomb in your living room.

Fire a shotgun as many times as necessary until the room is filled with the smell of gunpowder.

Pour a gallon of salty water over your head as if you were drenched in sweat.

Pour some lighter fluid on one arm and light it so you have the smell of burning flesh in the air.

Think of a past experience when you were terrified ... and multiply it by 10.

Put on the darkest pair of sunglasses you can find and imagine that an enemy soldier is in the room and has one, and only one, intention ... to kill you before you can kill him. If he fires first, you die ... not tomorrow, not next month, not in 10 years ... right now ... this very minute. You’re never going to see your wife, your kids, your parents or your friends ever again.

If you can do all of that, you will have a vague understanding of what a few seconds of combat is like. After you let it sink in for awhile, we suggest you call your insurance agent and a reliable contractor who can do some remodeling before the wife gets home. Oh, and you should do something about that arm, too.

The military understands this principle and factors it in these types of incidents. If the bullet was recovered it will be a simple matter to identify the rife that it came from. Even if it is the rifle of your friend's husband, there is a very good chance he will be cleared of any and all charges.

Even if not his rifle, this is day that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

He is a soldier and served his country. His head is down, but he has defended freedom and done his duty to the best of his ability. He has earned the yellow ribbon and he has earned the right to receive hugs, warm smiles, and a welcome home.

[Winnie G]

You know your right, I will go to the CanX and pick up decorations and Ill enlist the help of his children while he is being picked up at the airport.

It’s the army that is pressing charges, I don’t know why but it is hurting more then any out come of good it would do.

[CaptainTux]

I would be concerned about your character if it did not hurt. I will be praying that he gets cleared of all charges. I am glad you are giving him his decorations. You may want to explain to his wife the reasoning so she can explain it to him in case he feels odd about it. He deserves a welcome home and I thank him for his service.

[Winnie G]

I have picked up all kinds of yellow ribbon and crate paper tonight by the time I came home “R”s wife had already left for the long drive in to Winnipeg she is staying over night at her mothers, then meet the plane.

I will do the house myself so when he gets home it will be done.