Too hurt to fly home, soldier returns by RV

[unhappycamper]

Too hurt to fly home, soldier returns by RV
By James Halpin - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Oct 12, 2007 13:07:48 EDT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Justin Tauriainen awoke in a hospital bed, unaware that a bomb had exploded lethally close to him.

The explosion killed three others in his vehicle, paralyzed another. Justin was lucky.

The violent explosion had rocked his head, swelling his brain. He fractured his leg. His fingers were broken and he lost leg and arm tissue and muscle. One of his vertebra was shattered.

Now, more than 4½ months after the horrific attack, Justin is finally back to his post — and hometown — after migrating north along the Alaska Highway in a motor home.

The trip took about two weeks, but it was necessary, grandfather Jerry Cozzen said. Justin couldn’t fly. His injuries are still too severe.

Slightly more than a year after departing the town he grew up in, Justin reached the home he almost never saw again late Wednesday afternoon.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/ap_homebyRV_071012/

[democrank]

1. I`m crying.

Welcome home, Justin. Peace be with you.