The Christmas Spin?

Is it because of Christmas? Every one in a while I find a story that doesn't directly (or indirectly) attack the policies of the U.S. Of course, balanced or pro-American reporting invariably comes from a very few sources, and AJC seems to be one.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 18, 2003

Note: this from print edition, not available on line.

Wounded Find A New Mission

By George Edmonson, Staff

Washington -- Marine Capt. Jason Frei followed a path taken by many of those hurt on the battlefield in Iraq.

An artillery officer from North Dakota who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Frei was in a Humvee advancing toward Baghdad in the early days of the invasion when a rocket-propelled grenade hit the vehicle.

He was helicoptered to facilities in Kuwait, flown to a military hospital in Germany and then transported to the United States.

One of more than 280 Marines injured in combat since the beginning of the fight to topple Saddam Hussein's government, Frei lost much of his right arm, which has been replaced by a prosthesis.

After being treated at Bethesda National Naval Medical Center just outside Washington, he took 30 days of convalescent leave in San Diego and then headed back to his base at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Among his first actions was applying to remain in the Marines. Another was going out to meet other returning troops injured overseas in the hopes of passing along encouraging words.

"You have to maintain a positive attitude," said Frei, 31. "You have to. You can decide to let this slow you down, just like any other adversity you would run into in your life. I can't do that."

Today, others wounded in Iraq probably will hear words of encouragement from President Bush, who will be visiting patients at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here.

The scene will be familiar to Pfc. Adam McLain.

"I met the president" at Walter Reed, said McLain, 22, a military police officer in the National Guard who is now home in Havre, Mont.

McLain, who is recuperating from injuries suffered in Iraq, has a photograph of himself with Bush, but the college student admitted he doesn't recall a great deal about the meeting because he was "heavily morphinated."

Bush's visit is one of several he's made to see injured troops at the complex named after a noted 19th century Army physician who did pioneering work on yellow fever. But some critics argue that soldiers wounded in Iraq are not receiving the attention they deserve.

About 2,100 patients from the war have been treated at Walter Reed, including 368 battle casualties, according to the hospital. The overall Army figures show about 1,900 soldiers have been wounded in action in Iraq and about 7,800 others have suffered non-combat related injuries, including diseases.

This is far more than in the Persian Gulf War and Bosnia, but it pales in comparison to other wars.

"In Korea and Vietnam, they were coming back 500 a week," said Cy Kammeier, national public relations director for the Military Order of the Purple Heart, which has about 40,000 members. "This is almost nothing in comparison -- which is good."

In addition to complaints that not enough attention is being paid the wounded, some critics of the Bush administration contend news coverage of funerals at Arlington National Cemetery has been restricted. They also say a blackout on coverage of bodies returning to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware is designed to hide the toll on U.S. troops.

But administration officials argue they are merely trying to ensure the privacy of families and conduct the operations with dignity.

Last month at Fort Carson, Colo., Bush met with the families of 26 soldiers killed in the war. It was one of several such meetings, according to White House spokeswoman Clair Buchan. The president's Thanksgiving Day trip to visit U.S. troops in Baghdad also served to tamp down criticism.

Private groups, such as the Disabled American Veterans, also are reaching out to the wounded and their families.

With U.S. troops facing more grenade and explosives attacks in the Iraq war, the types of injuries are changing: more blast injuries, fewer gunshot wounds.

The largest component of injuries involve arms and legs, said Lt. Col. Van Coots, a physician who serves as senior medical staff officer for health policy and services with the Surgeon General's Office. Improved body armor and protective Kevlar helmets are two advances that afford more protection to the trunk and head, he said.

In addition to the armor, he cited increased training for medics, new life-saving products employed on the battlefield and surgical units working closer to the front. "So we really are taking care of these guys within that 'golden hour,' that first hour after wounding when saving the life is so critical," he said.