Capt Martin Melia shot in the leg.

[Mesa]

I was flipping through the channels over the weekend and came across a station rolling a list of names. Turns out once the commentator George Stephanopolis (sp) began speaking again (after the list finished) I came to understand that it was a list of the dead this week in the middle east.

It made me recall as a kid the list of names that would roll by every night on the evening news - it listed the dead from Vietnam.

As I grew and became aware, I have never forgotten how poorly the Vietnam vet was teated upon his return home. Thank God we are now willing to separate the dedication of the our countrymen in uniform from our opinions of the mission on which they are sent.

Bless our troops, welcome them home.
Everyone of them has earned my respect.

Rob Mesa

 

[Mark Clapp]

Chris, I'm so glad the Captain will be OK. Please thank him for covering mine and my family's backs.

 

[Doug S.]

Chris, as the child of a military lifer, I know the tension that accompanies the departure of a loved one and the pain that "that call" brings. I'm so happy your son is not mortally injured and rejoice that he will be coming home to you.

Please relay to him my thanks for stepping up to the plate and risking all to protect the freedoms we enjoy. The saying "Freedom is not free" is so true, as anyone with family in the military knows!

Best wishes for his speedy recovery!

Doug

 

[Malcolm]

Hope your son makes a full recovery soon.

 

[BenL]

Glad to hear your son is relatively okay.

It's fortunate that the military medical care has vastly improved in the past 30 years.

 

Hi Guys

well, I am overwhelmed by your words of support for which I truly thank you.

I have just got news from my son Martin which I would like to share his words with you.
Best Regards

Chris.

email from Martin.

Dad,

Basically two groups one Taliban the other afghan police/army had a pop at each other in the dark down town. One of the groups fired towards the sangar tower so the rounds started to fall as they cleared the high wall on a diagonal straight for the tents we are in. The round was a 7.62mm (short-soviet) from an AK-47 which struck my outer thigh going straight through. Luckily it was only a few mm under the skin and didn't hit anything vital, or tumble as AK rounds have a tendency to do (which would have really seen me off). Got casevaced to camp Bastion in the middle of the desert by US Blackhawk and have since had it cleaned and stiched up. Best part is I found the round in my bedspace when I got back today in perfect condition!! Thinking of getting my name engraved on it for luck. have become minor celebrity here, along with a lot of good natured piss taking, goes with the job.

 

[Rick Muck- Mark IV]

Chris,

Proper military guy....making light of the fact that a foreign body (the round) penetrated his body. Scary shite!

I have the greatest respect and wishes for those who are in harms way. Some for a just cause, and some for petty ass politicians, however they don't get to pick and choose!

Glad it seemed to work out.

Regards,
Rick

 

[Graham Inchley]

Chris,

Very pleased that your son is on the mend and that he can laugh about the situation. In these circumstances if you haven't a sense of humour then you had better get a b4stard, as I was once told!

 

[Bill Musarra]

Chris,
Having done trauma anesthesia, I have seen too often the wounds and complications that can result. Your son is indeed fortunate that the wound was not more severe or in a nore vital site.
I would like to remind all that in our christian world, I can think of but two individuals that have volutarily put themselves in harms way, that would lead to their ultimate sacrifice so that their brothers could live a more complete and fuller life. The soldier and Jesus Christ.

Bill

 

[Jim S.]

Chris,

On behalf of my family please extend my deepest appreciation to your son for giving some much to help make this world a better place. I'm glad to here he is going to be OK.

 

[Howard Jones]

When one man gives so much for the freedom and the liberation of so many people I can only wonder what such men, and women of course, are made of. Surely such overwellming selflessness must be a gift from god.

So often so many men like you will say "I am only doing my job". I want you you to know that many of us know that it is much more than that.

In the face of such things I find myself struck without words. So I will say what seams to be so inadequate and simple, thank you.

God bless you. Be well.

Howard Jones

 

[Chris Martino]

Glad to hear he'll be OK and hope you and your family will see your Son home soon Chris.

I've seen many of my fellow Canucks over the last 3 weeks fallen serving in Afghanistan, I have the upmost respect for all of the troops and wish them all home soon and safely.

Chris