I didn't know where else to post this so I figured I'd put it here. A good friend and former supervisor of mine was seriously wounded in Iraq a couple of days ago. He is the Regimental Sergeant Major for 3 ACR here at Ft. Carson. His name is John Caldwell. He is about the most awesome individual I have had the pleasure of serving with over my 22 years in uniform. His wife is by his side now in Germany. Please keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead. Thanks. "Q"

I'll keep him and his family in my prayers.

Gunnie

I will pray for him and his family.

God be with him in his recovery..

He and his family are in my prayers. I hope he knows he has a fine friend in you.

Chuck.

I'll keep him and his family in my thoughts Matt, hope he'll recover from his wounds quickly.

My thoughts and prayers for him and his family Matthew.

Thanks for the heads up...

My families thoughts and prayers and a deep sense of gratitude go out this Warrior.

Get well! And Thank You!

Jim

I wish him and his family best of luck, and hope he'll make a full recovery...

Thanks to those that have reposnded thus far. Last report I got was he is being moved to Walter Reed for further treatment. I know he was in critical, but stable condition and I hope things will improve from there. He is a big guy, no, a really big guy and I think that this is probably what saved him. He was in an up armored HMWWV that hit and IED. If sustained in this, I'd hate to think what would have happened to a regular truck. This and the IED was pretty big as well. Thanks again for all of your support folks. It means a lot to me. "Q"

Sorry, stupid question, but what is IED?

I hope he recovers soon.....

Martin

I hope he recovers soon and my thoughts and prayers to him and his family.

An IED is an Improvised Explosive Device. See here for more information:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/intro/ied.htm

IED, Improvised Explosive Device. While I was in theater we ran into these things all the time. They could be anything from a dead animal with a 155mm shell wired into it and laid in the middle of the road, to a small soda can packed with explosives, nuts, bolts, shards of glass etc. After we had been in country for awhile we were told to detain folks if we caught them planting these things. I killed them. This is how they fight. Booby traps, hide behind women and kids, in mosques, suicide bombers, car bombs etc. I'm going to beginning ranting now so I'll shut up. Thanks again to all for your thoughts and prayers for my friend John. "Q"

My wife and I are wishing him a speedy recovery. He is in our thoughts and prayers.

Stay safe.
Dave S.

All of the men and women serving overseas are on my mind, my unit is there right now. I wish your friend all the best and a speedy recovery. Will say a prayer for him and his family.
Best Regards,
Robert

Hope all goes well for your buddy. You be drinking them soon with him

O.K., I'm breaking Work rules by logging on & posting here, but you know what, Screw 'em. If I can't take a few minutes of their precious time to honor a fallen hero, they can take their job &...

In a wierd bit of synchrony, I happened to read the story of this brave soldier's wounding here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7578403/
just this very morning.

SGMJ Caldwell-I salute you. Your sacrifices & those of Pvt Knott will not be allowed to pass in vain.

I read that article last night as well. The two guys they mentioned, Haycox and Thmm, I had worked with during our first tour. Both were young kids then, well, both are still young,but not kids anymore. I'm glad they were there to help Big John out. I don't know where the reporter got his nickname for John, but battle is a term we used as drill sergeants. If your partner was lsong it, or if you just needed to get his attention, you would call him by that. It's short for "Battle Buddy". John is know throughout Regiment as "Big John". When face to face with him of course, we refer to him as Sergeant Major. From what I have received he is improving. The swelling is going down to his head wounds, and there was no damage to his optice nerve, but he is still in a drug induced coma due to his injuries.
Thanks once again to all of you for responding here and keeping him in your thoughts. I know he would appreciate it. I know I do. Thanks again. "Q"

Best wishes to him from me & mine. Hope all goes well for a fast recovery.

This is good to hear (that he is improving). I hope he recovers well and comes out as good if not better than when he went in.

Jeff

My thoughts and prayers are with John and his family.


Pete

I also have been sending a prayer for him in hopes for a speedy recovery, best wishes to his family.

Kerry

Matthew i hope your friend recovers quickly, please keep us posted on his condition.

John is doing much better. He has been upgraded from critical to serious condition. He has undergone the first of many surgery to repair his face and it went well. Please continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts as there is still a long road ahead. Thanks. "Q"

I am glad to hear your friend is doing better, i hope his progress in recovery is fast.