One Hero

2007-06-10T08:00:00.000-07:00

SGT Matt Lammers joined the US Army in November 2002, and upon completing his training, served in Korea for 12 months. In the Spring of 2004 Matt was deployed to Iraq where he received a purple heart for injuries incurred from an IED. Upon returning he was stationed in New York and then was promoted to Sergeant and moved to Ft. Riley where he helped prepare 8 young men for battle.

In February of 2007, Matt was sent back to Iraq where he has been assisting the war effort through infantry and Hum-Vee patrol. Matt was scheduled for two weeks R&R back in the States with his family in mid-May, but just a couple of weeks before his scheduled time of leave the Army moved him to a different company and Matt replaced a sergeant who had just been lost. The company he moved to had experienced many casualties and was in need of back-up. Matt's leave was rescheduled for mid-June.

Normally men are not sent out on patrol when they are very close to leave. But, on his way back to base after two days of patrol in Baghdad, on Saturday, June 9, 2007, Matt’s Hum-Vee was hit by an EFP (explosive formed penetrator). This type of explosive is buried underground and when remote-detonated, it pierces the armor of the vehicle and then explodes.

Matt sustained critical injuries in the blast, taking off both of his legs and his left arm. Though we do not know their names, there are some other heros in this story who acted quickly, saving Matt's life. He was immediately taken to a Bradley (a larger armored vehicle) which was directly behind the vehicle in which Matt was riding, and given emergency medical attention. He was quickly flown to Germany, and in a matter of eight hours he called his wife in Kansas.

Amazingly, Matt reports that he never remembers losing consciousness. Matthew's attitude and his response to his losses have reportedly inspired other soldiers. A phrase he had heard his family use frequently and light-heartedly pumped up one soldier who was rescuing him; "It's better than dyin'," Matt said to him. Matt continues to have good spirits and appreciates what he has: faith in God, hearing, sight, mind, good heart, good arm, wife, children, family and friends.

There have been many brave men and women through our history who have made tremendous sacrifices to gain and protect our freedom as Americans. In the last several years we have seen many Americans rise to the challenge in heroic effort to fight the terrorists who threaten our security and liberties. They join their forefathers in history. SGT Matt Lammers is one hero.

Jessica

For the story of Matt's rescue and those who saved his life, please follow this link to the posting "American Heros". http://mattlammers.blogspot.com/2007/07/american-heros.html

The Story

One Hero