Subdeacon Joe Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/dec/17/the-long-walk-home/?page=1#article Click. Boom. Sgt. Collin Raaz, a 24-year-old scout sniper, has heard that terrible sound before. Like most Marine infantrymen, his two tours in Afghanistan have included several run-ins with the insurgent weapon of choice — the improvised explosive device. One ripped the front off the 7-ton armored truck Raaz was riding in, giving him a concussion. Others exploded nearby while he patrolled on foot through mud-walled alleys and farmlands along the Helmand River Valley. He has seen unspeakable things. Friends gravely wounded. A squad-mate killed. This time, Raaz is the one at the center of the explosion. He steps on a pressure-plate trigger hidden in the dirt. Two pieces of metal connect, allowing current from a small battery to detonate the device. A blast wave cuts through the air traveling about 1,600 feet per second. Then whatever is close by — mud, shrapnel, slivers of bone or shreds of camouflage uniform — is sucked into the vacuum. Goddamit, Raaz thinks, as his body flies through the air. He knows exactly what has happened. I can't believe I just [expletive] stepped on an IED. Sidebars are good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bama Red Posted December 19, 2011 Share Posted December 19, 2011 Too bad there aren't medals for what these wounded men and women go thru after they're injured. Bravo Zulu, Marine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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