A Wounded Hero and Hero Miles
Paul Vincent is returning to the Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Thursday to see his son, Shane, of Sapulpa, who was severely wounded by an IED explosion outside Baghdad last month.
Shane’s back is broken and he suffered numerous other injuries after the 1,000-pound bomb exploded under the rear of the Humvee he was driving. The explosion killed another man in the vehicle, while a third was relatively unharmed.
Shane, 22, has been at Walter Reed since the Memorial Day weekend, undergoing a series of surgeries. Paul Vincent said his son does have feeling in his legs. He is talking, his father said, though he is under heavy sedation and not entirely lucid.
Shane’s wife and mother have been with him since he was sent here. Paul Vincent had nothing but praise for Walter Reed’s medical staff and for the accommodations made for the family.
Many families face serious financial problems in traveling here and staying with their wounded children and spouses.
One of the programs that’s helping _ and that Paul Vincent is benefiting from this week _ provides air travel for families using frequent flyer miles donated by people.
That program is called Operation Hero Miles and information about it is available here.
Chris Casteel
Washington Bureau
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