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Downs Injured in Iraq Attack 08-20-2005
Many, many prayers are being said by area residents for our soldiers fighting far from home. Those prayers took on new meaning this week, as word spread that Sp/4 James (Kevin) Downs was injured when the Humvee he was traveling in was struck by 4 explosive devices early Sunday morning in Iraq, (Saturday evening local time). “Kevin was blown 60 feet”, his dad Joe Downs said. His injuries include both legs broken, broken arm and pelvis, and 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body including burns to his eyes, throat and lungs.
On Tuesday morning the report coming into the family was that Kevin’s kidneys were beginning to function, his blood pressure was coming up slightly, his bones were being pinned temporarily, and that was enough stabilization to make plans to transport Kevin from the hospital in Germany to a burn unit in San Antonio, Texas. He was transferred Tuesday, and in surgery Wednesday morning.
Kevin was the ‘lucky’ one. He was riding in the turret of the Humvee with “part of his family, those three guys, he called them his family, they died”, a tearful and shaken Joe Downs said Tuesday morning. All four men are members of the 278th out of Ashland City assigned with an elite team of the U. S. Army Snipers (Cobra Unit). 22 year old Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City, 35 year old Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn Jr. of Lebanon, and Sgt. Shannon D. Taylor from Smithville were all killed in the attack.
“I want people to know that Kevin is so proud of what he’s doing for another country”, Joe said Tuesday. “He [Kevin] said most of those people over there appreciate them and want them over there. He said that most of the kids come to them when they are out on patrol wanting candy and water and they just love for them to be there. It’s just that you have a few that don’t”, Joe added. “But we don’t hate those people for that, we don’t understand them, but we don’t hate them”, he said.
Kevin is engaged to B. J. O’Brien, but he wants to finish his tour before they tie the knot. Kevin even told Joe that when the Iraq tour was complete, if he were to be redeployed he would ”go to Afghanistan and help out there”.
“I know God’s taking care of him”, Joe said, “Pray for him”.
Update from Joe Downs 08/27/05
Both Legs Amputated
We talked to Kevin's dad Joe Downs on Wednesday morning and he wants us to update you. The doctors had to amputate both legs just below the knee. Kevin was in surgery Wednesday morning to try and reconstruct his elbow; that surgery was expected to go from 2 - 4 hours, but may quite possibly be the last bit of major surgery for Kevin. He received 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body including burns to his eyes, throat and lungs. His burns are being scrubbed daily, some skin grafts have already been done, "they have just about done the entire right side", Joe said.
Joe wants to make sure that everyone knows that "the army and the government has just been wonderful to us", handling every detail for the family. "Every day they want to know 'what can we do to help you'", he said. He said he and his family are being treated like they are a "priority" by everyone so far.
He mentioned one of the long surgeries for Kevin. There were 11 doctors working on Kevin at the same time. Because of Kevin's condition the operating room was kept at 95 degrees. The surgery lasted 7 ½ hours, and the doctors came out "drenched". Joe is thankful and amazed by their dedication. "They do it for the soldier, because the hero is the guy laying on the table", he added.
Kevin has opened his eyes a few times in the past few days, and "he is starting to respond just a little bit", Joe said. Kevin's sister Shannon went into the room and teased that she could still beat up her little brother, Kevin grinned. Shannon's birthday is being spent in the hospital with her little brother this week, that grin was probably the best gift she could imagine.
"It's so thrilling to see the improvement every day", Joe said.
Kevin is still confined to ICU, and family members only get a few minutes a day with him.
The cards are getting to the hospital and the family is saving them for when Kevin can listen and respond. They intend to read each one to him as soon as they can spend more time with him, and he can appreciate them.
Joe is thrilled to hear about the football game Friday night and asks that someone videotape it for Kevin to see.
Joe also has two other requests. He asks for everyone to give blood, and give it in Kevin's name. "The doctor jokingly said 'we're going to change his oil many, many times". And finally, to "remember the families of the three that were lost. We've got to remember them, they're the one's suffering also".
"Just pray", he said.
Related StoryTwo Cheatham County soldiers will be honored this weekend for the sacrifice they have made for their country. All Cheatham County residents are encouraged to join in. SGT. Gary "Lee" Reese and two other men were killed in action on Saturday August 13, 2005 and SPC James Kevin Downs of Kingston Springs was seriously injured in the same incident. Both are members of the 278th out of Ashland City. A fund has also been established for SPC Kevin Downs and his family. His road to recovery is expected to be long and much of his treatment will be at the Army's premier burn unit in Texas. Donations can be made at the Community Bank and Trust in the name of SPC James Kevin Downs. |
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Kevin Downs Update 09/10/05
Fevers, Pains, and More Problems
“Things are improving”, Kevin’s dad Joe Downs said Monday morning. “He’s had problems with running fevers and things, and of course he still has some more surgeries to go through”, mostly skin grafts at this point to repair burn damage. “As far as all the bones and the reconstruction and all of that, I think they’ve finished all of that”, Joe added.
“He’s improving. Yesterday [Sunday, September 4] for the first time he was able to drink a little apple juice and a little milk”, and even a little tomato soup which must have tasted wonderful. “He still can’t talk”, Joe said, which may be caused by a variety of factors. Kevin’s lungs were badly burned in the explosion which took the lives of the three other soldiers in the humvee with Kevin. Doctors have also left a trachea tube in Kevin’s throat, “that’s a quick hook up and disconnect for them when he goes to surgery”, Joe explained.
The attack on the humvee in Iraq happened in mid-August, claiming the lives of three of Kevin’s brothers from the 278th out of Ashland City: 22 year old Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City, 35 year old Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn Jr. of Lebanon, and Sgt. Shannon D. Taylor from Smithville. Kevin was riding in the turret of the humvee, which probably saved his life. His injuries resulted in the loss of both legs below the knees, a broken arm and pelvis, and 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body including burns to his eyes, throat and lungs.
Also on Sunday, “for the first time he moved his legs”, Joe said emotionally, “it was wonderful for us to see it”. Kevin was communicating that he couldn’t move his legs, “Catherine [Joe’s wife] told him ‘yes you can, you still have part of your legs’”, Joe said. They sat Kevin up in bed so he could see his legs, “he really worked hard, and he raised them. It doesn’t sound like much but that’s a big, big start”, Joe exclaimed.
A camera looked at the damage to Kevin’s lungs last week, “they’re healing real well”, Joe said. There’s still more healing to come, but so far so good.
Joe is still completely amazed at how well the entire family is being treated. “These people here, they treat him like he was a king. He’s got some nurses who are just as sweet as they can be. I can’t say enough about these doctors and these nurses, and the way the Army has been to him, and even to us”, Joe said gratefully.
He still asks for your prayers, and blood donations in Kevin’s name, “you just wouldn’t realize how much blood is used around this place here until you are here”, Joe said. “The good Lord is answering some of the prayers, we can see that everyday.”
Joe has no idea when Kevin will be home, he’s still in Intensive Care, with no hint of when Kevin will even leave there. “It’s going to be a long, long time”, he added, but it doesn’t matter how long to Joe, “my most important thing is this young man right here”.
Joe was touched with word about the turnout at the recent funeral procession for Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City. “I talked to Mr. Reese 2 or 3 days ago”, Joe said, “when we get home he wants to sit down and talk with Kevin”, he added.
Please, take a minute and send a card to Kevin and his family.
Kevin Downs Update 09/17/05
Jello, peaches, and pears- Oh my!
From his father, Joe, on Tuesday morning, September 13th, 2005
Editor’s Note: I was on another line when Joe called this morning. He left a voice mail saying that he had good news, and wanted the South Cheatham Advocate and his friends and neighbors back home to have it first. I called him back immediately. When Joe answered, I asked how he was, and he said, “Well, we’re doing ok. I guess everybody back home’s doing all right aren’t they?”. I thought you would like to know that with all they have been through, Joe and Cat wanted to know that we’re all ok here. I told him we were fine, and to quit teasing, what was the news!....
“He’s making some improvement, he’s able to start eating a little bit”, Joe said. Kevin’s eating soft food that is carefully cut into small bits, but must feel good on his burned but healing throat, not to mention how good it must taste! He’s eating things like Jello, peaches or pears, “Catherine’s out there feeding him breakfast right now”, Joe said. “He’s doing so much better.”
He’s not only eating, but has been taken off of insulin and the feeding tube has been removed now that Kevin is eating. In fact there are even hints being made that Kevin will get out of Intensive Care, “If he keeps improving, they haven’t set a date, but they’re looking down the road that they may take him out of the ICU”, Joe said. There were no hints of that just last week. Being out of ICU means that Kevin will be able to see his family for more than just brief periods of each day, which will be great for all of them. “It’ll be a little bit easier then”, Joe said.
And that’s not all. Because of the trach in Kevin’s throat which will stay in until the surgeries are complete, Kevin has been unable to talk. “They came in and capped it off yesterday”, Joe said. “For the first time he said a couple of words, they were real hoarse but you have to listen real close”, Joe said. “He said ‘Hi Cat’”, [talking to Joe’s wife Catherine] “and then he said ‘Hi Dad’, it may not sound like much, but it was a lot to us”, Joe said emotionally.
Joe went on to describe the skin grafts and efforts to repair where the burns did so much damage to Kevin’s body and face. He described a “stretch wrap type stuff” that was put on Kevin’s face to aid in healing. It adheres to the skin, and as it dries and comes off the new skin is revealed underneath. “It’s red, it looks like a sunburn or something, but it looks good so far”, Joe said.
“The young man is fighting”, Joe choked out the words, “he’s just getting better and better”, he added.
There’s still more surgeries for skin grafts upcoming, but they are going well and each day shows more improvement. “His arms are starting to heal a little bit, he’s able to move them just a little bit”, Joe reported. “Every day’s getting a little bit better, not everything is grim”, he said. “If we look up a little bit today and a little bit tomorrow”, the next move could be to a “step down unit”. Joe explained that Kevin would be going from ICU where the ratio is 1 nurse to 1 patient, to a step down unit where the ratio is 1 nurse to 4 patients. That would be a great sign of big-time improvements.
Joe again talked about how wonderful everyone has been to Kevin and the entire family. “Even when they’re not taking care of him they’ll come by and go to the door and send him a kiss, it helps him and makes him feel better”, Joe said. “He has got the cutest smile, he cracks it off to one side, they just love that”, Joe added. There was even a visitor from the Office of the President recently, that meant a lot to Kevin, Joe and the family.
Joe was thrilled to hear that the Indians won this past weekend, and wanted to tell Kevin. “I just look forward to the day when they will bring him out on the ballfield, I look forward to that day when he can do that”, Joe said of Kevin’s Harpeth Indians.
Joe again thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns.
SPC Kevin Down’s Update From Joe and Catherine Downs 09/24/05
Reconstruction Surgery
Kevin had further surgery Monday on the arm that had to be reconstructed. Kevin has been fighting a bit of infection in his right “stump”, which is the term doctors use, so they are dealing with that right now.
“They found that his face was burned a little worse than what they thought”, Joe said Tuesday morning, “so he may have to have some face work done, mainly on the left side”, they don’t know what kind of work yet, they are trying to let nature take care of it first. “In fact nature’s taking care of a lot of things right now”, Joe added.
Kevin is still trying to eat, but surgery is hard on the appetite as anyone knows who has had major surgery. “For a couple of days after surgery, you don’t want to eat, you don’t want to drink”, Joe explained. “Catherine has been able to get him to eat some, she usually feeds him, she’s got a much steadier hand than I do”, Joe laughed. “By the time he gets his appetite back it’s time to go to surgery again”, he added. So the feeding tube has been reinserted temporarily, “but you take today for today and you worry about tomorrow when it gets here. If he can improve just a little bit today there’s that much gain”, Joe said with his usual optimism. The trach has been removed though, and Joe is talking a little more each day, “he’s real hoarse and you have to listen, but it’s a start”, Joe said.
Kevin is still in ICU, and it looks like the “step-down unit” that was referred to last week may still be a couple of weeks off due to some fever and minor infection.
“The young man is fighting and battling, he’s going to make it. It’s just going to take a while”, Joe said.
Many people in the area have asked how Joe and Catherine are doing. “We’re doing all right. We get up in the mornings and when we can we go from here to the hospital. We stay there as long as we can. Then we go grab some coffee and wait until we can go back the hospital again, but we’re doing ok”, he said. He said that they don’t need anything. “They have a center here. It’s called SFAC Soldiers and Families Assistance Center”, where families can go and watch television, get on the internet, read, eat, relax or stay busy. “It’s unbelievable what the people bring in voluntarily. They’ll have homemade cookies and candy. People around the community do this and bring it in and want nothing in return”, he said gratefully. “It’s just the way these people are”, he added that a group from a local organization had come in recently with 130 cases of water, which lasted about a week and a half.
“I want to thank the community for their support”, Joe said. “We get cards and letters from families and friends around there, schools, churches”, and it means the world to both Joe and Catherine. He mentioned a special drawing from a young child in Trenton, TN, each child had made something special from Kevin. The picture shows God on a cloud at the top with and angel under each arm. They’re looking down on a bed with a sick man on it. “Underneath it says ‘God is watching over you, hope you’ll feel better soon’”, it means the world to Joe and Catherine, and will soon mean as much to Kevin. “We’re hoping that when he gets into a regular unit he’ll have cards sitting everywhere”.
In ICU those cards can’t come in, but there are special things taped to the glass outside that Kevin can see from his bed. One such item is a blown up picture from The South Cheatham Advocate showing Kevin’s #2 painted on the HHS football field. The family is looking forward to taking Kevin out on the football field so the fans can welcome him home properly.
Catherine’s aunt, Kingston Springs resident Eva Lee is making a scrapbook of all the newspaper articles and updates on Kevin. Eva has sent some of it to the family to show them the support they are getting from home. Catherine mentioned how much it helps to know what neighbors and friends are doing to care for them while they’re away. “All the support really does keep you going” Catherine said. She also wants people to know that although they are away, they are in another good community for the time being. “It’s a really great community here, and we’re just so thankful that he’s at the best place that he could possibly be”, Catherine said.
Someone has also sent pictures to the family of the yellow ribbons around Kingston Springs and Pegram, “they look neat”, Joe said. If you would like to add to the growing collection of yellow ribbons, you can call The Robyn’s Nest, at obsolete and she’ll fix you up.
In case you’re concerned about Hurricane Rita, Joe said that San Antonio is not in harm’s way, and was making plans for evacuees to come there.
Joe and Catherine ask that you continue your prayers for Kevin, other wounded soldiers and the families of those who have been lost.
Editor’s addition: After our conversation concluded, Joe called back a few moments later with great news: as of September 15th, our Kevin is now Sergeant Kevin Downs. His promotion came as great news to Joe and Catherine, and I’m sure also to all of you.
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Sgt. Kevin Downs Update 10/01/05
Kevin is Speaking
From Catherine and Joe Downs
Mission: Recovery
Other than the heat, Joe and Catherine Downs are doing well. “Yesterday it was 101, the day before it was 103”, Joe began the conversation Wednesday morning. He and Catherine both were a little jealous to hear that the windows are open here, and the sweaters are coming out of the closets, but they wouldn’t leave where they are for anything in the world. Not without Kevin anyway.
“He’s improving”, Joe said. “He’s able to eat a little bit more, he’s eating some solid food”, and although his appetite is understandably up and down, Catherine insists that he eats when he gets the chance between painful daily shower scrubbings, rebandaging and therapy.
THERAPY! It sounds so pleasant and ... therapeutic... unless you’ve actually been through it. Kevin’s therapy is just beginning, they are working on the use of his fingers and legs. “He’ll be going to surgery Friday”, Joe said, so that they can finish grafting his left leg, and close up the “stump on his right leg”. Kevin has been battling infections and winning the battle, so “once he starts healing and if it heals well enough they will make him a set of temporary prostheses,“ which is great news.
“He’s talking”, Joe added, sometimes just to bicker with Catherine about why she’s waking him up so early, why she wants him to eat more, why he has to do the painful therapy that sometimes makes him scream in pain. Catherine sends Joe away for that, “Joe’s so tender-hearted, and it’s hard. I felt like just plugging up my ears, it chokes me up”. It’s important for her to learn how to exercise Kevin to get the muscles stretched and working again. “When he sees the physical therapist coming he says ‘you got to be kidding!’, but I tell him ‘no, it’s time’”, Catherine said.
Catherine is also taking care of other daily jobs. “Her duty is to feed him all the time, and she does a good job of taking care of that part,” Joe said, “and aggravating him”, he added, which is good for Kevin’s lungs as well as his spirit.
“He’s getting a little stronger every day”, Catherine shared. He hates the breathing device that hospital patients are always forced to breathe into to exercise their lungs, but Catherine has found that the fun banter they have back and forth is also good exercise. She’s keeping a list of all the time she’s spending taking care of Kevin and tells him he owes her a foot rub at least when he gets well. “We aggravate each other a little bit”, she laughed, “but it’s good for him”, Catherine added.
“He’s just the greatest kid ever. All these people that admire basketball players and football players and all these celebrities, they don’t really know a true hero until they meet Kevin”, Catherine said. “For him to be his age and take what he’s gone through and keep his spirits up like he has”, she said emotionally. “He’s just like his dad, he won’t quit until the job gets done and he knows he’s got to do it”, she added.
Joe was most anxious to tell me about some special words he received from one of the leaders in Kevin’s platoon. “It touched our hearts deeply, we’re so proud of it”, Joe said, as well they should be. He said it would be all right if we shared a little with the folks here at home:
“It's very hard for me to find the words to tell you how much your son has inspired my life. There is not a day that goes by that I don't see him and SSG. Hawn, Sgt. Reese and Sgt. Taylor on that night, every time I close my eyes I see everything from 13 Aug 2005 like it was yesterday and that I will keep with me until the day that I die.
“I pray to God every day for his recovery. Like I said Kevin has inspired my life in so many ways I’m lost for words but you Sir have a very special son and I’m very proud to say he is my brother in arms and shall forever love him so.”
As you can imagine, these words as well as the thoughts and prayers of everyone here mean the world to this family. Catherine says they are still being treated like family at the hospital in Texas, and are amazed daily at the treatment Kevin is getting and the warm way she and Joe have been treated there.
Send cards and letters to Sgt. Kevin Downs
Kevin Down’s Update 10/08/05
Stump Surgery
From his dad Joe Downs
Steady improvement, but a long way to go is the message this week from Joe Downs.
“We’re doing very well”, Joe said Wednesday morning. He even said that the temperatures had “cooled down” to 90 that day, which is a big improvement after all the 100+ degree days they have had since they arrived in Texas in August.
But how’s our soldier? “He’s doing very well, he went through surgery Friday”, Joe said, where they worked on Kevin’s stumps, got them closed up and “if everything takes well this will be the last major surgery on his stumps”, Joe said. That’s really good news because as they heal, the next steps involve getting Kevin fitted for prosthetic legs possibly in a couple of weeks, then slowly but surely getting him on his feet. The first steps after making the temporary prosthetics will involve a slanted table so that Kevin can get used to gravity again, begin to put some pressure on his legs and begin to relearn balance.
“Now they’re going to start looking at his arms and start working on them”, Joe said, crediting Kevin’s strength and courage and “the good Lord”, for the recent headway.
“He’s eating a little bit better”, Joe said that Kevin prefers fruit and soup.
“His talking his voice is still real real low yet, but in time that’ll come back”, Joe said.
Does he remember what happened? “He doesn’t remember much of it”, Joe said, “he remembers that they were out looking for the people who were attacking the compound”. Kevin remembers details like where they were going, and then he tells his dad that he remembers “that ‘I hurt’, and that’s all her remembers, and it might be a good thing I don’t know”, Joe said.
But he does know what’s happened to him, and “he’s taking it very well really, we’ve talked about prostheses, and we’ve talked about wheel chairs, and he’ll talk about it for a while and then he’ll say ‘nah, let’s talk about something else’, but you know, I understand that”, Joe says.
He’s even talked to Catherine about a “scooter” type wheel chair. Catherine, (who has to play the tough guy from time to time) tells him that idea may work for a while, but after that “you’re going to get up and walk!”
And someday he’s going to come on home and see everyone who has been praying and thinking about him and the family. Joe and Catherine are very grateful for the prayers and cards.
Sergeant Kevin Downs Update 10/15/05
Buying Nikes to Get Ready for Prosthetics
From his dad Joe Downs
“We’re doing all right, doing all right”, Joe said Wednesday morning, just like he has since this painful ordeal for his son Kevin and his family began in August. He would never complain, his son is alive.
But he didn’t sound like himself. Of course that would have to come with the territory, as anyone who has spent time recovering from any serious injury or major surgery knows, you have good days and bad days, and tomorrow will probably be a better day.
“He’s improving”, Joe said. Kevin has been moved to a step-down unit which is why his mailing address has changed slightly, (see below). That unit is still in ICU so not a whole lot has changed except that Kevin now shares a nurse with a couple of other soldiers instead of needing just one to himself. “That helps us and gets us a little more involved in trying to help him”, Joe said. They are also going to fit him with a device that will fit his hand so that he will be able to feed himself which will go a long way to making him feel a little independence.
Joe and Catherine had gone out and bought Kevin a brand new pair of Nikes in anticipation of him receiving temporary prosthetic legs soon, possibly by the end of this week. “He’ll be walking in style, he’s got new Nikes”, Catherine said. The next step will be to put Kevin on the “tilt” table to slowly help him regain his equilibrium and get used to the pain that gravity and blood circulation will cause for a while. They’ll start at about 15% and go on from there.
Therapy is of course, ongoing, painful and “oh gosh”, Joe said, “you have to step out of the room because you can’t hardly stand to listen to him say it hurts”. He admires the therapists because they can stay and do they job with patient after patient. “I haven’t heard Kevin use a foul word, but I’m sure some of them do”, he speculated.
“He’s like everybody else, he has a down day, he’s had one or two of them, but we can’t let him stay on that very long, we’ve got to keep him out of that as much as we possibly can”, Joe said.
“Just keep praying for him”, Joe said, “just keep praying for him”.
Kevin could use some encouragement and his address has changed.
Feel free to write to Kevin and the family.
Sgt. Kevin Downs Update 10-22-2005
Temporary Prostheses
From His Father Joe Downs
By Dale Graham
“I’m doing all right, how bout you?”, Joe said Tuesday afternoon, much more upbeat than last week.
He wanted to know how everybody was doing back here in south Cheatham County, and what about the weather?
I told him the weather was good and that we were finally getting some fall colors. He laughed. That’s the first time I’ve heard him laugh since our conversations began, and it was wonderful. “You devils”, he said, maybe a little jealous of all of us and our fall. “It’s a beautiful day, the sky’s blue but it’s about 90 degrees,” he said, still laughing. Joe said that the mornings are cool, about 56 - 65 degrees in the morning, but then “the sun pops out and it gets up to 85 or 90, this is fall to them I guess”, he said.
“Everything is still green here”, he added.
“Everything is looking up, he’s doing better”, Joe said about his pride and joy, Kevin. “The right side of his face is starting to clear up”. Joe said that the right side of Kevin’s face is still pink, “but that’s better than being burnt”, he said. The left side of Kevin’s face is still bandaged.
Kevin has his temporary prostheses now too, and has been up on that very important tilt table three times since Friday. “It’s rough”, Joe said. Kevin’s backside was burned very badly in the explosion that killed his three “brothers” in the mid-August attack: 22 year old Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City; 35 year old Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn Jr. of Lebanon; and Sgt. Shannon D. Taylor from Smithville. (Please see letter to the editor from Tiffany Tabor, M. Company FRG Coordinator on page 4). Since he is strapped down to the tilt table there is a great deal of pressure on his burns. That and the increased circulation to his “stumps” are “very painful”, but Joe said that Kevin “seems to be withstanding everything pretty well”.
Now they get him on the table once a day and yesterday they had him up to a 60% angle, which is true progress. The table helps Kevin regain equilibrium and get used to gravity again.
Several people have asked if Kevin lost his hands. The answer is no, he has so far lost 1 finger, and he may lose less of the rest of his fingers than was originally thought as well. “They took the pins out of his fingers yesterday”, Joe said. “We thought he was going to lose all of his fingers”, or at least down to the second joint on most of them Joe said. However, they’re starting “to turn pink like they’re trying to heal”, Joe said. “He may only lose the first joint, or just the tips”, which is great news too. Grafting has gone well, and therapy has begun to help regain motion and flexibility in his fingers.
“The doctors are very well pleased with his progress”, Joe said. He credits the doctors for their attitude of “letting nature take its course” first, before doing anything major. That attitude may have saved Kevin’s fingers. If not, that’s okay too, the Downs family will deal with it, there’s no doubt.
Kevin has a touch of pneumonia, but neither Joe nor the doctor’s seem overly concerned about it. “They’re watching it real close, but there not really over-worried about it”, he said. The tilt table will probably help his lungs as well.
In the step down unit Kevin is allowed to have 2 visitors from time to time, but not for too long. It’s still an Intensive Care Unit, but some things are closer to “normal” than Kevin and his family have seen in months, like the “chicken fingers and milk” Joe brought Kevin Monday evening. “He’s getting some good solid food into his system”.
I asked if Kevin liked his new Nikes, and Joe said that he hadn’t said a whole lot about them. “I may be wrong”, Joe said, “but I think he’s accepted the part about his legs, he’s more concerned about his looks now I think, cause today he wanted a mirror”, Joe added. Kevin looked at himself in the mirror and said “ooh, that looks bad”. His dad told him two weeks ago may have looked bad, but the right side now looks great. “Does he look like Kevin?”, I asked. “Yes he does. And hopefully when the patches come off the left side it will look even more like him.
“Every day is a battle”, Joe said, a battle against infection, monotony, depression, pain and more. He asks, as he always does for everyone to continue to pray for his son, “don’t give up on that part”, Joe said.
Kevin still has good days and bad days, but the bad days don’t last too long, and he probably deserves them every once in a while, considering what he’s going through and has ahead of him. He’s a soldier, a hero, but to those who love him, he’s still just a kid.
Related Article
| Local Resident Returning Home from Iraq 10-29-2005 A Kingston Springs family will welcome home their son 1Lt. Joe Jenkins, a Blackhawk and an Apache helicopter pilot for the National Guard. Troop N, Fourth Squadron of the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment, a Smyrna-based Blackhawk unit that was a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom will be returning home this week. 1Lt. Joe Jenkins is a 1991 Harpeth High School graduate. He enlisted in the US Army for 3+ years as an Airborne Infantryman. Jenkins was stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia and was deployed to Ft. Davis, Panama, Central America for a year. He then was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. After completing his tour of duty he then enlisted in the National Guard as a Combat Military Police soldier and enrolled in the ROTC program at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro. Jenkins met his wife Katie, of Brookeville, Maryland who received her masters in Elementary Education, while attending MTSU. He graduated and continued his military service as a commissioned officer in the National Guard. He received flight training at Ft. Rucker, Alabama earning the coveted Aviator Wings. Upon notification of mobilization 1Lt Jenkins volunteered to switch units and pilot the Blackhawk in order to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003 1Lt Jenkins, a former Apache pilot, landed an Apache Helicopter at the Harpeth Middle/High School for the students during their career week. Joe will be retuning to his wife, Katie, along with their 23 month old son, John Brady. 1Lt. Joe Jenkins proudly mentioned, "I missed my son's first birthday but luckily I'll be here for his second on Thanksgiving Day." Also looking forward to his return are his parents, Mary and Arnie Jenkins of Kingston Springs; his brother and sister-in law, Lou and Shannon Jenkins of Kingston Springs along with his niece and nephew, Kiely and Alex and his sisters, Nicky Jenkins of Chicago, IL and Becky Jenkins of Kingston Springs. As a "Welcome Home Tribute" his sister Becky has created a framed picture of his family as seen above. |
Update on Sgt. Kevin Downs 10-29-2005
Kevin Stands on His New Prostheses
From his dad Joe
Kevin is showing steady improvement, Joe said this week. Since getting his temporary prostheses, and spending time on the “tilt table”, he was even able to stand briefly last week.
Therapy is still painful, but it will stay that way for some time. They are trying to get more range of motion into Kevin’s hands and arms, and of course there are still those regular scrubbings from head to toe for his burns. He will soon be fitted for his next set of temporary prostheses that he will use in the next steps of therapy, and prosthetics that are a little different, better for standing.
His appetite is still good when pain medications and anaesthesia don’t ruin it. Tuesday night Catherine fixed him a large can of one of his favorites, clam chowder. “He loves clam chowder, and he ate just about every bit of it last night”, Joe said. “He seemed to like that pretty well”, Joe added.
Joe was thrilled to hear that the 278th was coming home. He was glad that Joe was getting some recognition for his service, “Those people deserve all the recognition they can get.”
Joe and Catherine are doing well, and feeling lucky that they have been able to stay with Kevin. “We thank the good Lord that both of us were able to pack up at a moment’s notice and leave, and not have to worry”.
Undoubtedly Kevin feels thankful to have them.
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Kevin Downs Update From His Father Joe 11-05-2005
Kevin stands to accept stripes
By Dale Graham
There is nothing but good news to report this week.
No, let’s go ahead and call it great news.
First of course, Joe wanted to know about the weather. I think he was even a little disappointed to hear that we were having a few warm days, but enjoyed hearing how cool it is in the mornings. He said it gets up to about 80 degrees in the afternoons.
But that’s not why he called.
Joe told me last week that he would have good news to report after Monday, so I was thrilled to hear his voice on Tuesday. He told me that he had “two or three good surprises” that he wanted to pass along. “First of all they made him a new set of temporary prostheses, this is like the second stage that he goes through”, Joe explained that this set is designed to help support Kevin’s knees as he continues to heal and walk.
“Yesterday morning”, Joe said, (I could almost hear the drum role in the background), “he was supposed to have some visitors, and he was going to sit up in the wheelchair for the visitors.” After a little while and little coaxing, Kevin decided he was going to stand to greet his visitors. He had never stood on these new legs, so hospital staff came in and helped him get them on, got him into a walker device he uses so he won’t fall, and “he stood alone like that”, Joe said.
Then came the visitors. Some impressive Tennessee National Guard officers took the time to visit Kevin with a very special mission. Major General Hargett, Commanding Sergeant Major Williams, and SFC Sanders (Kevin’s Platoon Sergeant and the first on the scene of the explosion that killed his three “brothers” in the mid-August attack in Iraq, including 22 year old Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City. Joe has had several communications from SFC Sanders, and was thrilled that Hargett and Williams “took him off his duties at Camp Shelby so that they could be together again”, Joe said.
“Kevin stood on his own legs, no one helping him to stand straight”, Joe said tearfully. The General had come all the way to Texas to pin Kevin’s sergeant stripes on him face to face. “He stood on those legs long enough to accept his stripes and to listen to the commanding orders that came with his stripes”, Joe said. Kevin stood at attention. He added that there were 25 people or more standing there watching.
After the ceremony ended, and Kevin visited with MG Hargett and CSM Williams, they all left the room and gave Kevin and Sanders some valuable time alone. “For a good 30 minutes those two sat in there and talked”, Joe said. “That boosted his morale more than anything ever could”, Joe said.
In fact it made Kevin feel so good, that the good things just kept on coming. After the visitors left Joe and Catherine took Kevin for a wheel chair ride through the hospital and outside for a little fresh air, which must have been quite rejuvenating for Kevin. There was a bit of a cool breeze so they didn’t stay long, and went visiting to the prosthetics department where Kevin was given a tour and information on how his special legs are made.
When that was finished it was lunch time, and Joe and Catherine asked Kevin if he wanted to go the cafeteria. He didn’t exactly jump on the idea, a little concerned about getting stared at and being uncomfortable, but he said yes. So the family went to the cafeteria and had lunch together. “This was a day that won’t be forgotten”, Joe said. “It was a great day and it lifted his morale”, he added.
Kevin was so energized by his morning that when his physical therapist took him that afternoon Kevin worked hard for nearly 90 minutes, “the therapist said he was still wound up”, Joe said. After all that and a little bit of dinner, Kevin fell asleep hard and slept well.
What a big day. “It was just a great wonderful visit”, Joe said, so honored and proud of his incredibly brave son.
Joe and I have had a couple of weeks without tears when we have these talks. We both cried like babies today, and then laughed at ourselves, “these are good ones”, Joe said of our tears.
There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation.
Also, please read the article on page 3 about the welcome home signs being sold this weekend to raise money for a homecoming celebration for the soldiers of the 278th.
Sgt. Kevin Downs Update 11-12-2005
Kevin Walks 40 ft
From His Father Joe Downs
By Dale Graham
The weather has cooled off a bit in Texas, but do you really care?
No? Then how about this ... last week on Thursday, Kevin strapped on his temporary prostheses and WALKED 40 FEET! Have I got your attention now?
Joe only wasted a few seconds talking about the weather before he spilled the fabulous news.
The technicians who were alongside have to push his feet slightly because the prosthetics keep his knees very straight. Kevin has to walk stiff legged, but walking is walking, and Kevin walked ... 40 FEET!
“By the end of that he was white as a sheet”, incredibly proud father Joe said, “he just about collapsed”. Kevin took a break from walking on Friday, but then got up on Saturday and smashed the former record by an extra 5 feet. I could hear the smile on Joe’s face as he shared the incredible news.
“He can’t do it by himself now, don’t get me wrong, he has two technicians that help him along”, Joe qualified, “but that’s a start”, he added.
Boy is it! They have to be a little careful at this point, his “stumps” have to be conditioned to take on their new role, so Kevin can’t walk every day ... yet.
On Monday there was more surgery. There was grafting to the hole in Kevin’s badly damaged left arm, as well as to his fingers. Kevin has lost one finger but doctors are hoping that nature and Kevin’s own body will continue to win the healing battle and there will be no more losses of fingers or tips. It’s a wait and see period for his fingers, to see if the skin grafts ‘take’ and his fingers continue to heal as they have.
“He felt pretty confident yesterday [Monday]”, Joe said of the doctor’s report after surgery. Kevin’s right hand may and should heal up and be completely useful to him, his left hand and arm may not regain full use, but with Kevin, anything’s possible.
“Plus”, Joe said, “the plastic surgeon went ahead and looked at his face while he was in surgery”, and the grating doctor went ahead and grated the left side of his face. There will eventually be further plastic surgery on that side of his face in the coming months to help smooth out the grafts, “It’s kind of like fiberglassing a car”, Joe said, 2sense of humor still intact. The right side has healed very well. Joe said it just looks sunburned now, a vast improvement in the three months since Kevin was so severely wounded. “It’s healed up great and it looks good”, Joe said.
After the long day of surgery on Monday Kevin was a bit out of it, but Joe said he gave Kevin the doctor’s report on Tuesday and he seemed pleased.
Kevin can’t hear all of us celebrating his accomplishments, but he is getting great support there in the hospital. “Thursday when he made that first walk, I guess every nurse on the floor was up there and applauded for him”, Joe said, “I think that made him feel good”.
Kevin is asking to get out of the hospital room more often now, and talks about having a “great big steak and a baked potato”. He’s not quite ready for that, but every day he gets closer. “Hopefully that day will come real soon”, Joe said. He has eaten several more times in the cafeteria since last week, Kevin’s appetite seems better there than in the room. If you’ve spent any time in a hospital you know that eating in a hospital bed is not exactly appetizing. He also gets to see people injured like him, some even worse. That helps too.
Kevin should be done with surgery for a while which will help him build strength for the milestones that he is reaching daily. The steel rod in his leg will probably stay there, but that will just help make trips through airports more fun, “you get a chance to set off a few bells”, Joe said, laughing.
Did you hear that? ... laughing? Things are improving daily for Kevin and his family, and Joe credits your prayers, great doctors and Kevin’s determined nature.
Kevin Downs Update 11/19/2005
Kevin’s 21st birthday is November 21st!!! Get those cards in the mail!
Joe Downs reported much cooler than normal in Texas on Wednesday of this week, down in the 40’s there the morning after storms swept through here. He was glad to hear that we were all ok, and didn’t sound like he missed the cold days we have in store for us.
“Everything’s going along pretty well here. The grafting looks like it’s taking pretty well”, Joe happily reported. He also reported that Kevin’s appetite is improving again, it always gets sapped with each surgery. “Last night we took him to the cafeteria again”, Joe said that Kevin eats better there.
The bandages are off of Kevin’s legs, just a thin, see-through “veil” covering them. Other bandages are also coming off, and they put a new cast on his right arm so that he can start working his fingers. “He’s doing much better”, Joe added. The grafts on his face and head also seem to be taking quite well too.
Joe is hoping that some time without surgery will help his appetite return to normal, gain strength, and get closer and closer to being able to come home for a few weeks.
Kevin hasn’t been allowed to walk for the past few days because of a leg bone problem that Joe is hoping can be solved easily, but they are getting him out of the room as much as possible in the wheel chair. “He’s got to be feeling a little bit better because he keeps saying ‘I want to get out of here’, 4 walls will drive you crazy if you stay in them long enough Joe said”.
He was happy to hear how well the ramp building went, and sends his heartfelt thanks to everyone involved. “We appreciate it and we thank everybody”, Joe said.
Bringing Kevin Home Begins With an Idea, Volunteers & Donations 11/19/05
A Veteran’s Day Gift of Love, Honor and Respect
Local Residents build a ramp that paves the way for Kevin to visit home
By DALE GRAHAM
Several months ago, shortly after the terrible attack that killed 22 year old Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City, 35 year old Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn Jr. of Lebanon, and Sgt. Shannon D. Taylor 
from Smithville, and terribly wounded Kingston Springs resident Kevin Downs, many people started asking, ‘what can I do to help?’.
“Pray” has been the answer most often given. Kevin, the only survivor of that August attack, has been at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas with his family closeby since then. His injuries unimaginable, his recovery day by day.
But as South Cheatham Advocate readers are completely aware, Kevin is making marked improvement, and there have been hints that he may be allowed to come home for some brief R & R, possibly sometime around the holidays.
Shortly after that terrible attack, local resident and Viet Nam Veteran Bob DeFrancesca came up with an idea, a great idea of something tangible that would help Kevin and his family should they ever get to bring him home.
Bob remembered soldiers from his era coming home in wheelchairs, some permanently, some temporarily, all needing assistance with something that used to be quite easy: getting into their own home.
Thanks to Bob’s idea, some great local volunteers with tools and know-how, and a beautiful Veteran’s Day weekend, Kevin will be able to go from the car to his home more easily.
Recently, local residents Wade Boggs, Tony Powell and Larry Peters checked out the rear entrance to Joe Down’s house, made some measurements and came up with a plan. Boggs then made some phone calls, and last week Midway Supply in Ashland City delivered the lumber necessary to help Kevin get home.
On Saturday, after an eye opening breakfast at Petro in Kingston Springs, Bob, Wade and Tony headed to Joe’s house and got started on their labor of love. It took most of a day, but the end result is a beautiful, sturdy, well built ramp.
Boggs has a bit of experience with bringing home someone under circumstances similar to this. His beautiful wife Donna joined the ranks of “bilateral amputees” 20 years ago after a dreadful car accident. She had just jumped on the interstate in Kingston Springs headed for Nashville, like so many of us do day after day after day. Donna and Wade had a young child at home, Dustin, a young marriage of 4 years, and their world was turned completely upside down.
Although I didn't realize it then, my life was just taking a small detour”, Donna said, reflecting back on that accident on November 1st, 1985. Wade built a ramp then to bring his bride home after a few weeks in the hospital. As far as 
friends and family can tell, they’ve never looked back, even briefly to wonder “why”. They healed, welcomed another son into the world, Derrick, and Donna has done everything as ‘normally’ as anyone else, except she takes her legs off one at a time before she gets in bed at the end of each long, productive day.
Donna has been an inspiration to many people coping with amputation over the years. “Now looking back, I have a VERY normal life. Whatever normal is! A Great husband of 24 years and my boys are growing, now 21 and 18! I have had the chance in my life to help some and to be there for others”, she said.
Donna has known Kevin and the Down’s family for many years, and is traveling to Texas this weekend to spend some time with the young soldier.She brings with her tangible evidence that healing and functioning are definitely in his future. She is also bringing a pair of the coolest legs you have ever seen, (they are custom painted red, white and blue and she water ski’s in them!!!) She also has a pair that allows her to wear heals, a “girlie” treat she has 
been denied until recently. “I watched Kevin Downs grow up, from a toddler, to a football player, to a young man and a soldier. I hugged him the last time I saw him before he left home and I can't wait to hug him this weekend”, Donna said. “I hope to be of some help to Kevin and his family. To assure them that this is but a detour and the road ahead is long, but they won't have to be on it alone”, she added. “I am sure he will be much more of an inspiration to me.”
She also brings the love of a community that awaits Kevin’s return, as well as the return of all our soldiers, standing bravely in harms way.
Expectations are that Kevin won’t need the ramp permanently, he’s already walking and someday won’t need a wheelchair or a ramp. Until that day, thanks to a great idea, a caring community and a day of hard work, Kevin’s return home will be a little bit easier.
Kevin Down’s Update 11-26-2005
Donna Boggs Visits Kevin
By Dale Graham & Donna Boggs
As I told you last week, my good friend Donna Boggs was headed off to spend some quality time with our Kevin last weekend. Donna is not only a friend of the family, she also happens to be a bilateral amputee, like Kevin. While there she kept a journal of sorts of her amazing time with the Downs family, as well as the Brook Army Medical Center. We are happy to share some of that here with you:
"My trip has come to a very quick end. Time goes by much too fast when in your heart and soul you hope to accomplish so very much. As I look back just to Thursday, I am surprised at how easily my anticipation turned from nervousness, to comfort, to admiration and finally to tears. Tears not for Kevin or Joe or Catherine, but for myself. I couldn't imagine that it would be so hard to leave BAMC pronounced (BAM-see). But I am getting ahead of myself. I should start at the beginning. There are a few things you must understand first.
"If you have been keeping up with The Downs Family, then maybe you already realized: they are a very close, quiet and PRIVATE family. I didn't need to read the paper to know this, all I had to do was think back to my brief chats with Kevin over his high school years. So, it was with great anticipation that I got on the plane Thursday. The questions running through my mind were rampant. How could I make an impact and allow them to hold on to the privacy they valued so much. I decided I would follow their lead and it was a wise choice.
"I arrived at Brooke Army Medical Center, well known to locals as "BAM"- C. Driving through the guard gates, showing ID and giving just cause for being there was slightly intimidating. I arrived at the Guest House to meet Joe and Catherine and was greeted with a warm hug and mild scolding; you see I didn't call when I got off the plane to let him know I had arrived safely. Shame on me. Immediately we began to talk, with the ease and comfort of old friends. Joe told me all about Kevin's hard work, his progress and his current condition. We worked right into the hard stuff.
"With a timid, uneasy look, and an apology, Joe stepped right off the curb and into MY amputee life. I tried to make it easy for him; that was my goal. We talked of the hard times, what was NORMAL? They know what life can be like at BAMC for Kevin. They see all the stages of care, recuperation, amputation, burns and so much more on a daily basis. But how could they possibly figure out what life at home would be like? I gave descriptions of my daily routine, from daylight to dark. I promised to do and act as I would at home, so they could see it all in place. So, at midnight as we decided tomorrow was another day and daylight would come way too early, I got in my PJ's and we started a whole new conversation.
"Friday came, bright and beautiful, even if it was way too early. Joe allowed me to experience his normal days here. Breakfast by 8 and off to see Kevin! Get him ready for the day…it all begins for him by 8:30 am, earlier if the nurses can get him to wake up before then. I don't think he is a morning person. I was anxious to see him. I had tried to prepare myself for it, talked to myself about it and still I wasn't prepared. I told myself not to cry, Kevin was brave and I couldn't let him down. I was never afraid or scared about what I would see, that he would look so bad that I couldn't handle it. That was the farthest thing on my mind. I was so thankful and honored to be there. The moment I entered that room, all my worries vanished. He greeted me with a nod of his head and strong HELLO!
"HE LOOKS GREAT! I told him how impressed I was, he of course thinks I am feeding him a line of bull! I know he doesn't believe me. He looks real good. I can see and tell instantly that it is Kevin. Beautiful teeth shining through his healing face. I couldn't stop smiling. I am sure he thinks I am NUTS. He made eye contact with me and that is a big deal. I was on cloud nine. Time goes by fast and before I know it, the nurse is back and its time for PT (physical therapy), scrubbing, doctors and nurses. We left while he was having a scrub bath....YUCK!
"We leave him to the hard work ahead and off I go to visit John and Dave down in the Orthopedic and Prosthetic Department. You see, Joe has been bragging about me and asked if they would allow me to come see the wonderful work they do here. This is a very impressive place. Every turn we take convinces me more and more, that IF you have to be in such a place, THIS is the place to be. They are looked after and taken care of and they are with TONS of people who are all going through SOMETHING!
"In a large commons area, there is a very special ceremony taking place. American Indians were performing a ceremony in honor of our veterans. It was, to say the least, breathtaking. Then we found the memorial honoring all those who have died in combat during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I touched each of the names in search for Sgt. Gary Reese, Sgt. Asbury Hawn Jr. and Sgt Shannon Taylor, who were with Kevin. I said a silent prayer for each young man and their families. It makes me want to shake hands with every soldier you see and make sure to let them know how much I appreciate all they have done and continue to do. Then we head back to see Kevin, it has been a couple hours. It's time for lunch and then more work for Kevin.
"We had dinner with Kevin in the Dining Hall. It was a great break from his normal four walls. He has been getting out for his "Road Trip" more frequently. This was a real treat for me. I am so happy to see him working so hard and facing other people. He is after all, a very private individual. That is his nature. It has nothing to do with his accident.
"After dinner I had the privilege of watching the most amazing sight. At 5:30 every evening.....they lower the flag everywhere....you hear the music start to play and you watch in amazement as every solder stands at ease and listens, NO MATTER where they are! The cars all stop and they get out of their cars and stand and listen, then as the flag is being lowered, they Salute! I watched through my tears from the 5th floor at this beautiful sight and silently thanked every soldier and God for being so blessed to live in the USA. You can not imagine the desire to thank every soldier you meet here. They, like Kevin don't understand what all the fuss is about....they are just doing what they are supposed to do. Being humble is a hard thing sometimes."
To be continued next week.
During this time of Thanksgiving, the staff of the South Cheatham Advocate would like to thank all of our veterans, our soldiers and their families for their courage and sacrifice for our nation.
We would also like to correct an error we made last week. Kevin's 21st birthday is on November 25th, instead of the 21st as reported. So we get to say again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN! If you forgot to get that card in the mail, go ahead and do it now: Sgt. Kevin Downs
And finally, be prepared that Kevin will be coming home for some R & R. We don't know when, maybe next month, maybe next year, but the bottom line is that there isn't enough yellow ribbon available on last minute demand to welcome him home properly. On top of that, we have other soldiers who come and go all the time, quietly. So we hope that as you decorate for the holidays, start thinking about Kevin and our other soldiers and put out some yellow ribbons at the same time. We want them all to know how much they are honored and missed.
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Kevin Down’s Update 12-03-2005
Special Visitors
By Dale Graham & Donna Boggs
My good friend Donna Boggs recently spent some quality time with our Kevin, and this week we share part 2 of her adventure. Donna is not only a friend of the family, she also happens to be a bilateral amputee, like Kevin. While there she kept a journal of sorts of her amazing time with the Downs family, as well as the Brook Army Medical Center. We are happy to share some of that here with you:
" You can not imagine the desire to thank every soldier you meet here. They, like Kevin don't understand what all the fuss is about....they are just doing what they are supposed to do. Being humble is a hard thing sometimes. I talked with Kevin about this this morning.
“Bright eyes met me after breakfast and I was excited and the most nervous I have ever been. I have talked to people before about the challenges ahead of them, how to work hard to over come them, this was not something new to me....but it really was! I had never talked to someone I KNEW! I admitted to Kevin somewhere in our very special conversation how nervous I was and why. He understood and told me not to worry about it. It was NOT A BIG DEAL! I knew instantly that he was going to be REALLY OK!
“Because you see, just like in the job of Kevin being a Soldier and just doing what he was supposed to do....I had spent the last 20 years, just doing what I was supposed to do. Take care of my husband and my boys, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I get up, go to work, have my friends, do with my family....NORMAL life...right? So, as I explained to the Downs' and Kevin, I understand that NOT everyone does what I do, for me it is normal. I work very hard at being NORMAL. Soldiers work VERY hard at defending and training to defend the right for all people to have FREEDOM. It is hard to accept sometimes and so we just say THANK YOU. Because what else is there. Why, you might ask is this important for Kevin? Because he has a lot to deal with and this was one thing I didn't want him to feel bad about. I wanted him to understand it from the beginning.
“I met the nurses, very special people all of them. They are all determined to do the best to get Kevin home and on with his life. I tried hard to bribe Jason, an ornery young man with bulging muscles and the best smile, to help me load Kevin up so I could get him on my plane home. He smiled at Kevin and said I wouldn't need to pay him….he would do anything for Kevin. It is the same for all the soldiers here; you can just see it in the faces of everyone you look at.
“Joe and Cat seem to think I am here on vacation...want me to go and do as I want to, see the sights....ARE THEY CRAZY! I am doing just what I came to do. I think they are going to let me take them to dinner tonight and tomorrow I am going to go get WHATEVER KEVIN wants to eat and bring it back for him!!! YEAH!
Saturday arrives early… well; bedtime last night was 2 AM! So much to talk about and so little time. Breakfast and then my time to really chat with Kevin before all his hard work begins for the day. We talk easily with one another and about everything. There is just not enough time to have all the conversations we want to have. I know instantly that I will be coming back, IF Kevin wants me to. Wow…what a young man. I want to say ‘kid’, because he is to me and his family, but I remind myself that although he will be 21, he is mature beyond his years now. We have had a GREAT day so far. Lunch together was lovely. I went OUT of the hospital and got him real food. Popeyes Chicken, red beans and rice.
It was time for some PT, so we head back to the amazing Guest House getting a little R&R. This is an awesome place for soldiers and family to stay while they are recuperating and getting back to life. Most things in this room I am sitting in are DONATED! From the Coffee, computers, Xbox, to movies and popcorn. Every afternoon there are plates of homemade cookies or pies. AMAZING! I am introduced to Judith Markelz, she runs this part of the Guest House and she has great volunteers who help, along with working soldiers. The shining smile of Sgt Hart is one I will always remember as he asked me not to take his picture. They want me to make Joe and Catherine get out more, get involved with others more….you see Judith is an organizer. She plans field trips and outings. She is worried because The Downs are too quiet and alone. I assure her that this is just the way they are.
Kevin's nurse called and it is time for us to go back and spend the evening with him. Boy, my heart sure is heavy at the thought of leaving. Dinner is nice, the company is the best part. Every evening Kevin can be heard rushing a nurse if they are in his room "Hurry, it's almost time. Dad, come sit down, Wheel of Fortune is coming on". It must be 6:30. This has become a special time for them, what a treat that they have allowed me into this private time. They are great hosts and allow me to play along. But, Kevin is much smarter than all of us and easily wins.
I know that it is getting time to leave, Joe is chatting with Kevin about tomorrow's football schedule and what time the games start. They talk about watching a movie in the evening and having a good day. Last minute things are in progress, brushing teeth, getting arms situated and pillows adjusted. As we all get up to say our evening prayer together, Joe says he wants me to have a few minutes and a private goodnight. Whew…how am I going to get through the prayer? Hugs and kisses all around and then it's my turn. I want him to know how proud I am, we all are and I want him to continue to work hard. I ask if I can call and get updates, he says of course. I ask if I can come 
back, he says anytime. I know that I have to wrap it up; I asked if there is anything special or important that he wants everyone at home to know? He replies, "Thank them for everything. Their prayers and support." " Let them know I am going to be just fine." I tell him, we already know that! I gently rub his right arm and let him know I love him. I hurry out of the room before he sees my tears.
As we pass the nurses station, I say goodnight and Thank You for everything they do. The handsome nurse behind the counter asked what I am carrying in my arm and can't wait to tell him about my ski legs. All 7 nurses look and chat about them. They are impressed and touched with the patriotism in them. They are after all….red, white and blue with shooting stars! They ask if my prosthetist does an equally impressive job on my day to day legs, I smile, lean back on the counter and POP off my left leg. Again, they are impressed with the work. The handsome nurse asks if Kevin has had the chance to really see me walk, I explain how I know him and that yes, he has seen me for years. This time probably with a different eye. Then I am properly introduced to MAJOR VanDyke (the handsome nurse is a MAJOR!) All I could say was " THANK YOU, SIR" As we turned to leave, I could feel all 7 nurses stand and watch us walk down the hallway. They were paying very close attention to detail. As we got into the elevator, we all started to laugh, because Joe and Catherine felt it to. This was GREAT! They were really getting the BIG picture.
After a cup of coffee and slow walk to the car, our goodbyes were brief with the promise that I would be back! Wild horses couldn't keep me away! I think that I accomplished what I started out to do on this visit. I knew that I would be the one impressed by Sgt. Kevin Downs and he proved me right. I know that this young man is a fighter and the world has yet to see what he will accomplish. I smile to myself, because I know it will be big, maybe bigger than Texas.”
And finally, be prepared that Kevin will be coming home for some R & R. We don't know when, maybe this month, maybe next month, maybe next year, but the bot tom line is that there isn't enough yellow ribbon available on last minute demand to welcome him home properly. On top of that, we have other soldiers who come and go all the time, quietly. So we hope that as you decorate for the holidays, start thinking about Kevin and our other soldiers and put out some yellow ribbons at the same time. We want them all to know how much they are missed.
There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation.
Update From Joe Downs
By DALE GRAHAM
Kevin had a wonderful Thanksgiving, all things considered. He was with his family, surrounded by some really great food, and good friends, and he ate too much which is a great thing! The hospital staff put on a great meal for everyone, complete with tablecloths, flowers on the tables and “a spread that you wouldn’t believe: turkey and ham, roast beef, dressing, yams, shrimp cocktail, pumpkin pie, I mean everything you could think of”, Joe said. “Kevin ate like a little pig”, Joe laughed, even eating seconds on many things.
Before they will let Kevin come home for any R & R, there are a few things that have to happen. He has to continue to heal and improve, of course, and one of the signs of improvement is gaining weight.
“His appetite is building up, it’s getting better”, Joe said this week. “He had a Whopper and fries which he wanted King Sized, and he ate all of it”, Joe said, “and then Catherine fed him about a half a bag of Gummy Bears along with I don’t know how many hands full of cashew nuts”, he added. Joe says that Kevin, like his dad, isn’t a “breakfast person”, but he’s gotten to where he’s eating 2 single portion boxes of cereal with milk most mornings, a fairly decent lunch and a good dinner at night, “as long as he doesn’t have any surgery, he’s ok”, Joe said, and there’s no more surgery scheduled for now.
The skin grafts on his hand are coming along well, even a new fingernail growing which is a very hopeful sign.
Kevin enjoyed his visit with Donna Boggs, as did Joe and Catherine. “I think it helped him, I think it helped all of us really”, Joe said. “It helped Catherine and myself to understand how she gets around in the house, you know it’s amazing what she does”, he remembered how Boggs gets around in the mornings before putting on her legs and heading out for each and every day. “We had so many questions, we probably bombarded her”, talking about the late nights they enjoyed together during her visit.
He mentioned how, since knowing Boggs since before the terrible accident that resulted in the loss of her legs below the knee. “I remember when the accident happened”, Joe said. “Now if I see her I don’t think anything about her legs, even though I see them, I don’t think anything about it”.
Someday, Kevin will be another highly productive, completely “normal”, bilateral amputee, and no one will even notice or think twice about it as he blows by us on his way from one place to the next.
Until that day gets closer, the family asks that you continue to pray for him, and all of our soldiers.
Kevin Downs Update 12-10-2005
Kevin Walks 400 ft
By DALE GRAHAM
The news continues to be nothing but positive from Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas.
“He’s walking more and more each day. The grafts and things look good, the hands and things look good”, Joe Downs said on Wednesday of this week. Kevin is still unable to use his hands and arms, but therapy will get more intense on those areas after the grafting has more time to heal.
“His appetite is picking up and he’s doing very well, really”, Joe said.
He reported that on Monday of this week Kevin walked about 400’, that’s a huge improvement, and possibly the sign of someone who wants to get out of the hospital, at least for a little visit home. “That’s the most he’s ever walked so far”, Joe said.
There are frequent adjustments to his prostheses, but that’s natural, and his “stumps” are getting more and more accustomed to carrying the load they have taken on.
“He’s done very well, we just have to keep him on an upswing”, Joe said.
“Therapy is working with him, they’ve taken him off a lot of his medications, all good signs so far”, he added.
No commitment yet on a date when Kevin might be allowed to come home for a little R & R, but he’s getting there, he’s getting there.
Joe, as usual, asked how things are up here. I told him “it’s cold!”. He said the same of Texas, with the possibility of snow in the forecast, same as here, but pretty unusual for Texas. It was in the eighties there last week.
I asked if Joe and Catherine were about to get homesick. “It’s not ‘just about’” he said, “we are. But you do what you have to do.”
Hospital staff is working hard to get Kevin travel ready, and more self sufficient, and he’s getting there. “Every little bit is a step forward now”, Joe said.
And finally, be prepared that Kevin will be coming home for some R & R. We don't know when, maybe this month, maybe next month, but the bottom line is that there isn't enough yellow ribbon available on last minute demand to welcome him home properly. On top of that, we have other soldiers who come and go all the time, quietly. So we hope that as you decorate for the holidays, start thinking about Kevin and our other soldiers and put out some yellow ribbons at the same time. We want them all to know how much they are missed.
There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation.
Sgt. Kevin Downs Update 12-17-05
Problem Pain
Kevin’s dad Joe called this week with his usual report to let us know that Kevin has had a “couple of little problems, but they’re going to take care of them”, Joe said.
Kevin’s right knee has been causing him quite a bit of pain, even keeping him from sleeping at night. He’s back on some pain meds and X-Rays are being studied to see what’s causing the pain, and what can be done to alleviate the pain.
He’s also experienced some problems with his hands that have caused doctors to rebandage them, “it’s just little problems that you’re going to have”, Joe said with his usual great attitude.
So on to the good news. “His face is looking better every day”, and therapy to strengthen Kevin’s wrists and arms is beginning soon. Now, Kevin wears a splint that keeps his hands from hanging limp, but his right hand is already showing some improvement, and the work that will begin in the next day or two should continue that improvement.
To help him straighten his knees he will be wearing a brace of sorts that will adjust the angle of his knees to wherever the doctors want them to be. He hasn’t been able to straighten them completely, but that’s about to change.
Kevin continues to walk, and is beginning to “pick up a little speed”, Joe said enthusiastically. More signs of improvement are that he is beginning to look up from his “shoes”, which he watches pretty closely while walking. On top of that, he went about 40 feet recently without his walker. “He’s starting to get a little confidence and look up”, Joe said.
Joe and Catherine were hoping that Kevin would be able to come spend sometime with them away from the hospital, but that hasn’t happened. Doctors are a bit concerned about the wound on his backside that isn’t healing as quickly as they had hoped, and they don’t want to take any chances with infection. “It’s just going to take time”, Joe said. Doctors have decided to give it just a little more time, and may do surgery next week if they don’t see improvement in the next few days.
More surgery is being planned for January to take care of bone spurs that are forming in both his arms and legs. Joe isn’t discouraged in the least. He knows that it can’t be all good, all the time, not when someone is recovering from injuries the likes of Kevin’s.
Kevin had some very special visitors this past weekend. A Pegram resident who contacted The South Cheatham Advocate in November about arranging a special visit to Kevin, made that day come true on Sunday, and Catherine couldn’t wait to tell you all about it. SFC Bill Jacobs was recently deployed to Ft. Hood, TX for training in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with R Troop, 4th Sqd, 278 ACR. They are an Apache Helicopter Company stationed out of Jackson, TN. Since they were only about an hour and a half away from Kevin, Jacobs wanted to get a small contingent of TN Guardsman from the 278th to visit the Downs family, and that’s just what they did.
It was a surprise for Kevin.
Catherine said it was a real head-turner for the people at BAM-C, “People were stopping at attention”, when the impressive group came through. The contingent of 8 or 9 soldiers stayed and visited for about 3 hours Catherine said, “it was great!”
Kevin talked to the soldiers about “the incident”.
They presented Kevin with a Cavalry hat, complete with knots for wartime participation, and special pins. Kevin noticed that Jacobs had the only “jumper” pin, and pointed out that he was thrown 60’ in the explosion, wondering if that might qualify him for such a pin. The other soldiers agreed, and Jacob’s passed his pin along to our proud soldier. “It was a great visit”, Catherine said grateful and proud.
“It will be a great day”, Catherine said of the day they are able to bring Kevin home.
It’s possible that Kevin will have a voice activated computer before long, that will allow him to access and possibly write emails, perhaps even talk on the phone without someone holding the phone for him. If that happens, we will forward his email address along so that you can jam up his inbox!
Christmas will be a little different for the family this year, so if you get the opportunity to share a minute of your time, send them a card to the address below. They will be happy to hear from home.
And finally, Kevin will be coming home for some R & R. We really don't have any idea when, but the bottom line is that there isn't enough yellow ribbon available on last minute demand to welcome him home properly. On top of that, we have other soldiers who come and go all the time, quietly. So we hope that as you decorate for the holidays, start thinking about Kevin and our other soldiers and put out some yellow ribbons at the same time. We want them all to know how much they are missed.
There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation.
Sgt. Kevin Downs Update 12-24-2005
Christmas Wishes
“Kevin is doing better as far as his appetite”, Joe said on Monday of this week, but surgery planned for sometime this week would probably put a brief stop to that as it always does.
The surgery, which the family had hoped Kevin could put off for a while, is to “shave” off some bone growth that is causing problems that won’t let Kevin walk, and walking is very important to his recovery. It’s not an unexpected thing with this kind of injury, but every time Kevin has surgery it sets him back for a day or two. “The main thing is to get that done so we can get him back up walking”, Joe said.
“Sometime after the first of the year they’re going to take him back in and start taking the metal out of his left arm”, Joe said.
“His morale is up and his spirits are up, and his appetite is up, and he’s trying real hard”, Joe said. As evidence of that, Sunday night Kevin had a chicken leg and thigh, 2 slices of ham, 2 burritos and some mashed potatoes. “He’s starting to eat”, Joe laughed. Monday morning Kevin had 6 of those little boxes of cereal.
“We wish everybody has a very Merry Christmas, and thank them for their prayers and concerns”, Joe said.
There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation.
Plans for some time at home haven’t finalized yet, but we promise to get the word out as soon as we get it.
Merry Christmas Kevin, Joe and Catherine!
We miss you all.
Kevin Down’s Update 12-31-2005
By Dale Graham
We told you recently that Kevin had some very special visitors. A Pegram resident who contacted The South Cheatham Advocate in November about arranging a special visit to Kevin, made that day come true this month. SFC Bill Jacobs was recently deployed to Ft. Hood, TX for training in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan with R Troop, 4th Sqd, 278 ACR. They are an Apache Helicopter Company stationed out of Jackson, TN. Since they were only about an hour and a half away from Kevin, Jacobs and a small contingent of TN Guardsman from the 278th took the time to visit the Downs family, they filed a report with The South Cheatham Advocate for you to read.
Rogue Troop Visit’s Sgt Downs
Soldiers from 278th Visit Kevin
By Sgt Craig Abington
On Sunday December 11, a contingent of 8 soldiers from R Troop4/278th ACR started our day visiting Sgt Downs. It ended in one of the most important and proudest days of our lives. We 
were able to have lunch with Kevin and Catherine and then spend a few hours with a Calvary Soldier of the 278th ACR, a brother in arms, a fellow Tennessean and a true hero. Talking, laughing and telling stories as only soldiers know how.
The time we spent with Kevin taught us the true meaning of Courage, Strength, Will, Faith and Determination. To understand what Sgt Downs has overcome and see how far he has progressed knowing he will leave BAMC (Brookes Army Medical Center) and carry on, encourages us as it will encourage others who know and meet him. He is currently in physical therapy learning to walk with his prostheses and has a fantastic group of people working with him.
“It is quite obvious the feelings and respect these people have for Kevin. During our visit, Kevin told us in detail the story about what occurred in Iraq on that day, of the men lost and of his injuries. Many things stand out in our memories as we saw through him what had occurred. While Kevin was gravely wounded, lying on the ground, he tried to crawl back to his vehicle to help the other men, not yet knowing their fate. This selflessness helps define the kind of man and soldier Kevin is as well as the other young men who volunteer, serve and fight in our armed forces.
“Please remember Sgt Kevin Downs in your prayers, as well as Joe and Catherine. Say a prayer for those men and women and their families who have made the greatest sacrifice in serving their country. Pray for those who still serve.”
We also talked to Joe this week, who called to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Kevin has been staying with Joe and Catherine this week, which has been a very difficult time for all of them, but wonderful at the same time.
Kevin has gotten some much needed time away from the hospital, but he of course has still had to be scrubbed and rebandaged daily, a painful process that Catherine has made her job. Catherine tries to send Joe out for those scrubbings, she’s pretty sure Joe couldn’t stand it as it is so painful for Kevin. It’s about a 3 hour process each day. Joe thinks Kevin will be able to stay with he and Catherine until sometime after the first of the year.
“It’s tough, I’ll tell you”, Joe said. “But little Miss Catherine, God bless her soul, I’ll tell you”, Joe said. “She is just working her heart out”, he added, “if God doesn’t bless her, I don’t know who could get any blessings at all”. They take Kevin to the hospital in the mornings for about 2 hours of therapy. Then they try to grab some lunch, about 1 hour to rest or nap, then those dreadful 2 - 3 hour shower/rebandagings, “then by the time you eat a bite of dinner it’s late at night. She doesn’t get any rest”, Joe said. “To be honest, I don’t know what we would do without her.” Joe and Catherine have only been married for about a year and a half, but you would never know it. “She’s just working her heart out to take care of a stepson that she dearly loves,” Joe said.
They still have surgery to come on Kevin’s right stump, and to take some of the hardware out of his left arm, and Joes’ hoping that the wound vac will come out of Kevin’s backside soon after the first of the year. “But he’s fighting, and he’s healing, it’s just a slow process”, Joe said. “Tell everyone hello, and keep on praying”, Joe said as he signed off this week.
There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation.
Plans for some time at home haven’t finalized yet, but we promise to get the word out as soon as we get it.
headline:The soldier's are from left to right standing: SGT Russ Young, SPC Tony Penny, SPC Travis Tate, SSG Ray Wheatley, SGT Joel Nixon, SGT Tim Helton. Left to right bottom: SGT Craig Abington; SGT Kevin Downs, SFC Bill Jacobs.
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