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Issues/News>
Help Our Heroes
February 6, 2008
When I decided to run for office, one of the core
principles I planned to emphasize was the need for a strong
national defense.
Having heard disturbing stories about the care our
wounded veterans had been receiving, I wanted to see for
myself the impact our policies were having on Utah
soldiers. These real-life Utah stories underscore the
urgent need for Congress to act.
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Army Sgt. 1st Class Gordy Ewell is originally from
Nephi, Utah and joined the Utah National Guard more than 15
years ago. Over the course of Gordy’s service, his
vehicle was bombed not once, not twice—but six times.
He was deployed to Iraq to be part of a unit
responsible for clearing road-side bombs. He would travel
ahead of convoys to ensure the roads were cleared. He also
worked to train other units how to recognize the dangers
and dismantle these devices if he found the bombs before
the bombs found him.
During his service, Gordy was treated at the mobile
hospital and sent back out to the battlefield six times.
(Some of the senior National Guard members familiar with
Gordy’s case told me it was because of Gordy’s particular
case that the rules have now been changed.)
While he was severely injured in the third bombing, he
was committed to stay with his unit. The sixth bomb did
massive damage to his head and jaw, requiring multiple
surgeries. Despite his serious injuries, Gordy came home
with his unit.
Meeting Gordy, you would hardly notice the left side of
his face was shattered. The doctors did a remarkable job
restoring the functionality and aesthetics of his face.
What you will notice about Gordy is his eye patch. The
traumatic brain injuries sustained in the bombings gave him
double vision in his right eye and very narrow vision in
his left eye. You will also notice a cane that he uses
with pride.
Perhaps the most striking thing about Gordy is his
positive outlook on life, his deep sense of patriotism, and
his undying love of the United States of America, his
family and his fellow soldiers. His wife Terra and their
six children have been a constant source of support. He
was a true American hero on the battlefield and has
continued to be a hero since his return.
While Gordy’s story is dramatic and certainly heroic,
he worries about the thousands of other servicemen and
women whose stories garner less attention, but whose needs
are no less serious. Once “separated” from the military,
these men and women are often forgotten – their sometimes
serious physical or mental trauma minimized.
Gordy is a member of the Blue Star Riders, an
organization which provides support for returned solders
(www.bluestarriders.com). This is a wonderful organization
that more Americans should embrace and emulate as they
rally behind our wounded veterans. Gordy wants all
veterans to have the long-term counseling or other
assistance they need to successfully reintegrate when their
military service ends.
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Russ & Roxanne Bridges are a striking example of why
Gordy’s concerns should be taken seriously. It was a
distinct privilege for me to meet with the Bridges last
month. Their story is nothing short of tragic.
Eight years ago Russ, living in Panguitch, joined the
Utah National Guard. When his unit was called up for
service in Iraq, he left his wife, Roxanne, and their three
young children to serve our nation. While in Texas
training for departure to Iraq, Russ hurt his back and was
diagnosed with a herniated disc.
Surgery went awry and consequently Russ is in worse
shape than before the surgery. For years he has fought
unbearable pain and he has become partially paralyzed.
Most disgraceful is that Russ and his young family have
also had to fight for the most basic care and compensation.
His wife and kids—the oldest only eight years old—have
been left to care for Russ, with minimal financial support
from the country he was serving. This is wrong!
Here is a young, able man volunteering to protect
America, hurt in the service of our country, and left
disabled and destitute.
Because Russ was not injured in the theater of battle,
he is not entitled to the same level of benefits he would
have gotten if the injury had occurred overseas a few weeks
later. It is very unlikely Russ will ever work again, even
though he is only 27. Instead, Roxanne works three jobs,
cares for Russ, and looks after their three children.
For Russ’ sacrifice he is compensated $1,600 per month
and is given almost nothing for transitional expenses.
Even if Russ is one day able to work again, he is no longer
eligible for the education benefits he earned serving in
the military. That is the value our government places on
Russ. This has to change.
Fortunately, the Utah National Guard Charitable Trust
has stepped up. With the generous assistance of donors
like The Wadsworth Company, they have assisted Russ and
Roxanne with some $40,000. But this is just the tip of the
iceberg for a family whose primary breadwinner may never
work again. They still don’t have a ramp in their home so
Russ can navigate his wheelchair, and with such a minimal
income the family struggles to pay for basic necessities,
let alone the constant care needed for Russ.
When I am serving as your Congressman, I plan to
address the serious issue of how we care for our military
heroes. But I’m writing to you today because I don’t think
it can wait that long. This story needs to be told now. I
hope you will join with me in demanding that our government
address the serious deficiency of long-term care for
returned soldiers.
With the permission of the Ewell and Bridges families,
I am seeking to publicize these cases in the hope of
drawing attention to the plight of our forgotten heroes. I
think most Americans will be shocked and dismayed, as I
was, by the lack of treatment, care, and compensation. As
your Congressman, I plan to introduce legislation to take
care of people like Russ Bridges.
By increasing the visibility of these and other cases
in the public eye, we can all apply pressure to make
changes. As your Congressman, I will make this a top
priority. We MUST always care for our military and their
families—always! Someone needs to fight to fix the
Veterans Administration and I plan to lead that fight. I
started this campaign by sharing these stories with the
media and others. You can help by sending this email to
your friends and family to get their support.
To all the troops and their families, thank you for
your sacrifice and commitment to the United States of
America. We owe you. You must be compensated for the
needs our battles have imposed upon you and your families.
Let’s work together to make that happen.
Jason Chaffetz
jason@chaffetz.com
www.jasonforcongress.com
(Tip of the day: Jason's last name is pronounced "Chay-fits")
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