Archive
Subscribe
Weather
 |
|
 |
|
Newberg Marine loses leg in IED attack in Iraq |
By David Sale,
Newberg Graphic reporter
E-mail David at dsale@eaglenewspapers.com |
IRAQ — Lance Cpl. Garrett
Jones, 21, of Newberg, was injured Monday by an explosive while on
patrol in Al-Karmah, a suburb of Fallujah.
“We got a call from him Monday night,” said his father, Scott
Jones, a senior officer with the Newberg-Dundee Police Department.
“He told us he stepped on something that detonated. He was himself,
despite being in pain. If you can believe it, he told us to take
care of ourselves.”
The
Jones family was also contacted by medical personnel, who reported
that they were forced to amputate his left leg above the knee as a
result of his injuries. He also received minor shrapnel wounds to
his arms and shoulders. Garrett, a Newberg native and member of the
Newberg High class of 2004, has been in the Marine Corps for two
years and arrived Feb. 1 in Iraq for his first tour. He is a member
of the Second Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment.
A former lifeguard for the Chehalem Park and Recreation District,
his father described Garrett as a sports lover who enjoys
snowboarding, wakeboarding, riding motorcycles and ATVs.
His decision to join the Corps took his father somewhat by
surprise: “It was an idea he came up with on his own, but once he
did, we supported him,” Scott Jones said. “I can only read between
the lines, but I think he joined for the same reason so many others
do: he loves his country and wanted to contribute.”
But knowing that his son was headed into battle was a burden, Jones
added.
“We’ve lived with this fear for some time,” he said. “You always
worry as parents, but try to take one day at a time.
“My colleagues have been tremendous — we’ve received overwhelming
support from the department, Garrett’s friends and the community. It
chokes me up when I think about it.”
Garrett is presently receiving treatment at a military hospital in
Germany and is expected to return to the states in a week. Friends
of the family have established a fund for Garrett’s rehabilitation
expenses at the Oregon First Credit Union in Newberg.
|
Published
July 28, 2007, Newberg Graphic
Click Here to Subscribe |
|
|
|
 |
|
