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June 19, 2007
Wounded Soldier Reaffirms Commitment To Fight
Wounded Soldier reaffirms commitment to fight
By Pfc. Bradley J. Clark, 4th BCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MAREZ, Iraq
Soldiers reenlist in the Army everyday, but for one Soldier with the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, reenlisting was an experience far from ordinary.
Frankenmuth, Mich., native, Pfc. Daniel Weber, cavalry scout, 2nd Platoon, Troop B, 1-9 Cav., reenlisted June 13 only hours after being involved in an improvised explosive device attack in Mosul, Iraq.
“I was planning on reenlisting that day for a while now,” said Weber. “Why should I let something like this change my mind?”
Weber’s company commander, Capt. Bradley Nelson, was in a convoy heading to Forward Operating Base Marez for a meeting and Weber just hitched a ride so he could reenlist.
“We were riding along just fine when we heard over the radio that Delta Troop was in some trouble, so we decided to turn around and help them out because we had a medic with us,” said Weber.
When the convoy had decided to turn around, Weber, along with his fellow Soldiers, was surprised at what happened next.
An improvised explosive device detonated right beside their vehicle.
The concussion of the blast rattled through the vehicle, blowing Weber out of the vehicle.
“I knew we got hit,” said Weber. “I thought I was dead. I slid on the concrete for at least 20 meters.”
As Weber lay on the ground his adrenaline began to take control of him.
“I couldn’t feel my legs, but I realized I had to stand up and get back to my truck for cover,” recalls Weber.
Weber ran over to his commander and helped him back into the vehicle and then recovered his driver’s weapon.
“The blast forced my door open all the way trapping the driver in the vehicle,” said Weber. “As I helped him fix the door I could feel my sleeve stick to my arm and that’s when I knew I was hurt.”
The convoy regrouped and rushed to an Iraqi military base nearby, where Weber was seen by U.S. Navy doctors.
“The docs thought my arm was broken but they weren’t sure, so they cleaned me up and rushed me over to the Iraqi troop medical center for an X-ray,” said Weber.
Weber’s X-ray came back negative.
Right after Weber received the results of his X-ray, Nelson told him that he could be on a flight to FOB Marez, if he still wanted to reenlist.
“My sergeant asked me if it was something I still wanted to do,” said Weber. “I want to re-up to get the guys that did this.”
After a short helicopter ride, Weber landed and reenlisted on the landing pad.
“After it was all done, everyone came up to me and thanked me for my service and reenlisting,” said Weber. “Colonel (Stephen) Twitty thanked me and then (Command) Sergeant Major (Stephan) Frennier gave me a coin and thanked me. After that (Lieutenant) Colonel (Keitron) Todd and (Command) Sergeant Major (William) Beever thanked me.”
Weber’s family might have mixed emotions about what happened, but they all share pride for him and what he is doing.
“My two brothers are in the military and both of them are extremely proud that I decided to reenlist,” said Weber. “My wife and mother were shocked and worried, but in the end, they are also very proud of me.”
Weber chose to reenlist for several reasons.
“My wife is going to school, so I wanted to stay in to help support her,” said Weber. “I also did it because I love my job and I love all the outstanding support I get from everyone.”
Weber reenlisted for six years.
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Wild Thing's comment..............
Our country is blessed to have the best military in the world. Not only for our power which is awesome and our training which is extensive. But also because of the might of each and every one of our service members. The might, will, determinationi and love of their families and our country.
They want to be a part of making sure our country remains the land of the free and secure for their families, loved ones and for all. There is a special inner being that comes with those who serve, something those that say no to serving don't have. Something that sets them apart from all the rest.
We honor them and their service for we know without them and our Veterans from all the wars we would be nothing as a country and as a people.
Posted by Wild Thing at June 19, 2007 12:40 AM
Comments
Good for Daniel Weber--it shows we DO have kids who are firm and strong and proud. He could have sat home on disability from the military, but he didn't.
We should all be like him.
We are so proud to have young men like Daniel in our midst.
Posted by: Lynn at June 19, 2007 04:12 AM
HOORAH, Private First Class Daniel Weber, Cavalry Scout. We are proud of you and your Family. Outstanding!!
- Gasman
Posted by: Steve G. at June 19, 2007 07:07 AM
Daniel Weber - God Bless You and your comrades for your service and dedication.
The 1st of the 9th Cav was one of the mosr famous and aggressive units in Vietnam. Glad to see the spirit lives on.
Posted by: TomR at June 19, 2007 11:25 AM
Pay attention John Kerry, this is the way real soldiers react. Oh and by the way John Kerry I've served shoulder to shoulder with men wounded worse than you who never asked to be sent home even though they could have. It's called being an integral part of the unit and they'd never abandon their fellow soldiers.
Daniel Weber, you have a lot to be proud of, thank you and thank the 1st of the 9th. TomR is correct about them.
Posted by: Jack at June 19, 2007 02:04 PM
I love all your comments!!! Thank you so much!
(((((hug))))))
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 12:58 AM
Thanx for posting my story. It really means a lot to a young journalist in Iraq
Posted by: Brad at June 20, 2007 10:00 AM
Just a humble Daniel's Mom here to thank you all for your encouragement. Daniel has always been a determined and dedicated young man, as are his brothers who are also serving. We don't have just one hero in our family -- we have 5 -- three sons and two daughter-in-laws.
Posted by: Heidi at June 20, 2007 06:20 PM
Brad, it is so nice to meet you. Thank you for stopping by and a big thank you for writing this story. Thank you too for serving our country.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 06:27 PM
Heidi, how nice it is to meet you. What a special family you have.
It is always an honor to meet those that are serving and the families of those that serve as well.
Thank you and please thank the rest in your family too for their service to our country.
Everyone that comments at this blog has friends and or family that are serving now and also most of the commenters are Veterans as well.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 20, 2007 06:29 PM
Hooah Brad! Thank you for doing that story!
Heidi,
You have another hero in your amazing family--YOU. Don't forget it takes a very special kind of person to raise the kind of men you have raised. Thank you. I honestly hope to be as good a mother to my (8 year-old) daughter as you obviously have been to your sons.
This story about Daniel shows the very best of America. God bless him!
(Thanks, WT, for blogging this!)
Posted by: Beth at June 20, 2007 06:58 PM
OK...Brad...if you're out there...how can I get my hands on the REAL picture of Dan standing on the pad reenlisting? Did YOU do the interview? Did YOU see him personally? Pardon this Mama's prodding, but if I can't see him with my own two eyes, it makes me feel better to talk to someone who has!!
:-)
Posted by: Heidi at June 20, 2007 08:22 PM
Heidi
You did something right with your kids and America is a much better place because of you and your family. HOOAH Army mom
Posted by: cuchieddie at June 20, 2007 09:14 PM
John Kerry-----YOU are no Daniel Weber!
Daniel, as I write to many of the soldiers I say in like kind to you:
“It is the American Soldier that gives
us our Freedom.”
Dear American Hero
There are not enough “Thank You’s” that I can
say for your commitment to your Comrades,
your Commanders and this country. The best
I’ve heard it said was from Lt. White at a
Ranger Graduation:
"Don't let the pessimistic, television talking heads,high browed newspaper editors, Hollywood idiots or any other faction of the "blame America first" crowd get you down! I'm speaking of the "latte biscotti crowd”.
“They are simply background chatter, men,and will always exist on the periphery of any
endeavor that requires
selfless service or loyalty.
They are not worthy of your concern and,truth be told,in the pit of their cowardly hearts,they wish they could be like you."
YOU are my inspiration to carry on each and every day and I thank God for servants like you.
You are loved and appreciated beyond what Many or I could say.
LLoyd
Posted by: auspatriotman at June 20, 2007 09:43 PM
To Heid,Brad, and To Daniel Weber,stand tall,I and The Navy Salute You,your brothers and your mother. This is from a old saltnavy VietNam Veteran who wish that you do right with god by your side and win,come home to your loveone.
I stall and Salute you,THANK YOU FOR SEVICING this great country.
USN/USNR/E4/BT3 Edward Lee Mc Intosh
Posted by: Edward Lee Mc Intosh at June 20, 2007 10:00 PM
To Dan, Heidi, her other heroes, Brad, et al:
Thank you!!! You make this country great.
Posted by: raz0r at June 20, 2007 10:53 PM
This Vietnam vet has the greatest respect for
you Daniel Weber and the rest of the heroes serving with you God bless all of you guys
Posted by: Robert Hornberger at June 20, 2007 11:51 PM
Lynn, Jack, Tom, Steve, Beth,cuchieddie, LLoyd,Mac, razOr,and Robert. Thank you so much for being here and for your wonderful comments.
Heidi these are all Veterans and they walk the walk and know better then anyone. Take care Heidi.
Posted by: Wild Thing at June 21, 2007 12:59 AM
You veterans are amazing and if I knew how to salute properly, I would. I sat at a graduation party last night with my husband's uncle who was in WW2 and was at the Eagle's Nest at the end of Hitler's life. To this day, the tears, the emotion, pride he carries brings him to tears. He spoke with the same pride for my sons as you all have. I am so humbled by all of you...what you've been through for me...for my boys...for our country...You are ALL heroes in the truest sense of the word.
FYI -- Daniel is healing and will have some scars that will always serve as a reminder of what he went through, but he is excited to be back out "boots on the ground" in Iraq, doing what he was clearly born to do. Thanks again for all your support!!
Posted by: Heidi at June 23, 2007 08:24 AM
