2006 Updates for Sgt. Kevin Downs

January 6th, 2006
President Bush visits

By DALE GRAHAM
Kevin started off the New Year with a surprise visitor.
President George W. Bush took some time on New Year’s Day to visit the troops at Brooke Army Medical Center, (BAMC) on Sunday, and while he was there he stopped in to Kevin’s room. Kevin was in his wheel chair, and the President sat down on the bed next to him and chatted. They talked for 5 to 10 minutes, according to Joe, Kevin’s dad. “That was a thrill, not too many people get to meet him”, Joe said. “He told Kevin how proud he was of these young soldiers who have served their country and given all they could give”, Joe added. He hopes to share some pictures with us soon of the visit.

Kevin spent some time over the holidays with Joe and Catherine at the guest house. It was wonderful, but difficult. Kevin still has so many open wounds that need constant attention. He’s back at the hospital now after his brief respite, and is probably facing that surgery we heard about recently, on Friday of this week.

“He’ll probably spend the biggest portion of the day in surgery on Friday”, Joe said. They will be working on that right stump, to shave back some bone growth. “They’re going to start taking some of the hardware out of his left arm”, Joe said. He added that recent x-rays have shown something in Kevin’s knee, possibly shrapnel, a “foreign metallic object” that is causing Kevin a great deal of pain. “Hopefully this will take care of some of his problems, hopefully this will be the last one”, Joe said.

The wound vac remains in his backside, but “it’s starting to heal, that’s one good thing about it”, Joe said. It’s seemed slow, but there is a very large wound there. Joe is hoping that will continue and they will soon be able to remove the wound vac, as it gives Kevin fits, making it difficult for him to scoot around from the bed to the wheelchair.

But “he’s doing very well”, Joe said. He added that Kevin’s spirits are good, and that “he wants to come home, he wants to get out and come home. He just can’t do that right now”, Joe said. Kevin’s had about all the hospital time he can stand, but unfortunately he’s got some more to do before he can come home to us.

Several people have commented that Kevin looked good in the picture we ran last week, but “skinny”. Joe said that Kevin has lost about 60 pounds. Because his prostheses will be carrying that weight he shouldn’t gain it all back, but he will be able to gain some of it back and will probably enjoy doing it.

Joe said the weather is hot in Texas, but that’s normal for that part of the world. He laughed when he heard about our typical Tennessee winter, 75 degrees one day with snow in the forecast. “It’s been 75 - 80 down here for the last week or so, it’s hot!”, he said.

Joe again wanted to thank everyone for the prayers and concern. Please keep it coming. “Tell everybody we said hello, and keep on praying. The good Lord’s answering the prayers. It’s slow, but we can’t rush the good Lord on it”, he said.

January 14th, 2006

Kevin had a long day of surgery last Friday ... about 7 1/2 hours long to be precise. “He came through surgery pretty well”, his dad Joe Downs said this week. There was a lot of work to do and they got it all done, including taking lots of metal out of his arm. Also, one of Kevin’s “stumps” had to be reshaped where the bone continues to grow, which causes problems with his prosthesis.

“They went in and took most of the hardware out of his elbow”, Joe said. They left one piece in to help strengthen it, and Kevin is expected to have about 70% use of his arm, which is really good news, considering there was a time when doctors considered amputation. Of course Joe remains optimistic that those estimates could be wrong, “He could always keep working with it and working with it and he might get a little bit more”, he said.

Kevin now has his arm strapped to a machine that bends his arm for him on a nearly constant basis to help increase and maintain mobility. He’ll be attached to the machine for 2 weeks. They take him off for a couple of hours for wound cleanings and such, “but if he’s off very long then his arm stiffens up and it makes it harder when he starts back”, Joe explained. They have also attached a “nerve block” to help keep the pain under control.

This Friday there will be more surgery to help with some facial damage, but that shouldn’t be anywhere near as lengthy as what he went through recently.

The wound vac has been removed from Kevin’s backside as well, and that wound is showing some real signs of improvement.

Joe said that it’s warm and dry in Texas, but he didn’t sound like he found a warm, dry winter to be particularly appealing. “These people down here don’t know what rain is”, Joe said, and mentioned some terrible brush fires that had destroyed several hundred acres just north of San Antonio last week.

“Tell everybody hello for us, and to please keep right on praying”, Joe said.

January 21st, 2006

It’s been a tough week for Kevin, and he and his family could use your prayers, and maybe a card, or something to lift their spirits a little.

As we told you last week Kevin had surgery 2 weeks ago to remove some of the metal out of his badly damaged arm. Surgery was quite successful, but as is always the concern, infection has been a problem since then.

“Kevin is battling some infection. He’s battling some fevers ranging from about 100 to 104” degrees, Joe said, sounding a bit tired. As a result there have been more surgeries ... Thursday night, again Sunday morning, and again Tuesday morning, with another one coming up again probably on Friday. Doctors keep having to reopen his arm and try to flush out the infection, and then keep a “wound vac” in place to help the area heal and the infection dissipate. Joe said that doctors were encouraged after Tuesday’s surgery, “he said it looked like they may have got it”, Joe said, but they won’t be sure until they go back in on Friday. These surgeries generally last 1 1/2 - 2 hours each, and we’ve already mentioned what they do to Kevin’s appetite, and quite possibly his morale.

And since they had to work on one of his “stumps” 2 weeks ago, he’s not been able to walk, and that’s beginning to bug Kevin. “He’s come so far for something like this to come up and happen”, Joe said, only sounding discouraged momentarily.

“He’s battling, and he’s going to pull on through if the good Lord will just help him along. They’re keeping a close eye on him”, Joe said. “He’s trying, he’s trying real hard”, Joe added.

Of course an occasional setback is inevitable, but hard to explain to such a young man who has come so far, and wants more than anything to come home.

There is good news. The work on Kevin’s “stump” was quite successful and healing well. Joe said that Kevin will be back up and walking again in a couple of weeks. The wound on his backside that his given him so many problems for months now is really coming along. “They said today that it was becoming more shallow every time they look at it”, Joe said.

Again, Joe says to “tell everybody we said hello”, and to keep praying for his young son.

As the snow was beginning to fall here, Joe was expecting really cool temperatures in Texas Tuesday night, in the mid to low 30’s which is rather unusual. He said there had also been some much needed rain, which should help slow down some of the brush fires that have been plaguing the area. He was concerned for the people who had been evacuated from their homes in several subdivisions just north of San Antonio.

January 28th, 2006

I guess it was pretty clear last week that Kevin has been going through some pretty tough times. He has been battling infection, and that has led to several surgeries in an effort to help get rid of those infections.

Joe said that the weather has been decent in Texas, in the sixties which feels a “little chilly because of the wind”, he said Tuesday morning. 60 degree weather feeling chilly is definitely a sign that Joe has been in Texas too long.

The good news is that the “stump area” where doctors had to trim back unwanted bone growth is healing well. The stitches are out and it “looks good”, Joe said. “In fact his legs are starting to heal much better”, including the skin grafting which has taken well and is healing.

“In the last 11 days, he’s had 5 surgeries. The big one was yesterday”, Joe said. Kevin was in surgery on Monday of this week from before noon until 5 or 5:30 Monday evening. The infection is originating in his arm where there was a great deal of metal, and some still remains. The surgeries involve opening up Kevin’s arm, washing and cleaning the tissue inside, then closing him up and waiting a couple of days before doing it again.

Monday’s surgery was quite a bit more drastic and involved than that, which is why it took so long. “They made an incision just about half way between his elbow and his wrist, from there up to the armpit, and then from there to his waist”, Joe explained. It was one continuous incision so that doctors could go into Kevin’s back, take and invert a muscle, and then run it through Kevin’s arm. This is why: Doctors have determined that the infections are coming from the open areas where there was metal in Kevin’s arm. They have used the muscle to cover up the remaining metal, then grafted skin on top of it all.

Joe said that although he hadn’t been able to spend much time with Kevin yet on Tuesday because he was still groggy from the surgery, he said that Kevin was bandaged from his shoulders to his waist. Joe was braced for “one heck of an incision”. He was not looking forward to telling Kevin, who didn’t yet know what had been done, “We don’t know how he’s going to comprehend this, but it’s what they had to do”, Joe said.

“It will be five days before we know whether that muscle’s going to live or die”, Joe said, but Kevin has healed well from these sorts of things so far, and Joe expects the same this time. “Just ask people to please, please pray”, Joe said.

And while you’re praying, please take a moment and send them a quick note, or a long letter, or your favorite cookies, or a video from home, or something, anything to let them know we haven’t forgotten them. Texas is a long way from Tennessee, and this family is a long way from the people who love them.

Top of Page

February 4th, 2006

Maybe, just maybe, there won’t be any more major surgery in Kevin Down’s immediate future.

It was about 78 degrees and sunny in Texas on Tuesday, blue skies just like here. “This is not winter”, he said talking about the 82 degrees from a few days earlier. Joe Downs sounded more rested and a bit less drained than he did last week.

“He came through surgery good today”, Joe said Tuesday afternoon. Doctors looked on Saturday and again on Monday at the muscle that was moved recently after extensive surgery, from Kevin’s back to his arm. They told Joe that the muscle is “taking well” and that “all that good blood flow and having all those nerves and tendons covered will stop the infection problem”, he said.

On Tuesday they had taken Kevin once again into surgery to regraft his arm where part of the graft didn’t take, (but that happens sometimes), and did a little work to Kevin’s face. One of his eyes had a bit of a sag, and one side of his lip had a bit of a lift, now they are right where they are supposed to be. “They seem to be very well satisfied with him today, the major ones [surgeries] should be over now”, Joe says.

The tough part now is to heal that enormous incision that was made last week to get the muscle from Kevin’s back. Therapists hope to get Kevin out of bed in 5 or 6 days, and hopefully back up on his feet, (Joe hopes by middle of next week). A new set of prostheses have been ordered, and the “stump” has healed really well where they had to work on the bone.

“Hopefully we’re on the road to recovery”, Joe said, taking a deep breath.

He was happy to hear that the Mapco was on it’s way back up too. The Kingston Springs Mapco burned down one week before Kevin was injured in August of 2005.

February 11th, 2006

By DALE GRAHAM
“Kevin may be coming out of the woods”, Joe said the words that the doctors told him. He’s through with the major surgeries at least for a while, they believe that the infection he has been battling is well under control, and other than a skin graft that has refused to take a couple of times, he should stay out of surgery for sometime as well.

As much of a relief as this is to all of us, it must be huge to Kevin and his family. It’s been a while since he has been able to just get better, keep his appetite and get around.

That sounds like what is happening right now though. It will still take some time before the enormous incision in Kevin’s arm and down his back can heal well enough for him to get up walking again, for now that’s not keeping him back from getting around. Kevin has a motorized wheelchair, with a “joy stick” control that he can control himself.
“He drove himself to physical therapy”, Joe said this week, he just needed someone to open the door for him. Having just the slightest feeling of independence must be a good feeling.

We also heard this week from SFC Bill Jacobs, a Pegram resident who was 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. Bill and several of his friends in the 278th took some time to go visit with Kevin back in December. Bill recently went to visit one more time and sent us an update on Kevin: “He seems to be doing well, but the last two weeks of surgery have taken their toll. However, he looked better than the last time we saw him. He put on 28 lbs since then and is "filling" out. He is anxious to get back on the protheses. He is moving his right arm in a full range of motion and would like to start working on the hand.”
Bill and his unit will be “moving out soon”. Please keep them and all of our soldiers in your prayers.

We want to thank Kevin, Joe and Catherine for sharing these pictures with us of Kevin with President George Bush, along with these photographs of the Presidential Medal that he presented to Kevin during his New Year’s Day visit.

We know that it was a special event that Kevin will never forget, and have been asked by many people if we could share the pictures.

February 18th, 2006

What Can I Do For Kevin?

We have no update on the condition of Kevin Downs this week. We don’t believe it’s because of any problems, just an inability to connect during a crazy week.

But let’s just guess that it’s been a great week for him, and that Kevin is one more week closer to coming home so that we can hug him and let him know how much we honor, and respect, and love him.

So many of you have asked, “what can I do for Kevin and his family?”

The answer has been pray, or send cards, write letters, or give to the bank account set up in his name. All of those things are still important things to continue to do, but this is also important, and shouldn’t wait until the last minute.

We need to cover south Cheatham with yellow ribbons, so that Kevin and all of our soldiers and their families will know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

There are a few local residents who are already moving ahead with Mission: Tie a Yellow Ribbon! Remember, when putting out your ribbons, they may not be placed on utility polls, street signs, or anywhere in the right-of-way, but that leaves open loads of possibilities!

Kingston Springs Elementary School student Leah Rider, a 4th grader in Misty Cook’s class will be cutting ribbon and passing them out to students at the school to display.

After Monday, February 20th, you can go by AmSouth Bank in KIngston Springs and pick up a yellow ribbon from Shawn Rider. She has purchased all she can get her hands on and will be passing out ribbon to anyone who wants it. Shawn wants to be sure that everyone who wants yellow ribbon can have some. She is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up in Kevin’s name.

There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation or any size, large or small.

February 25th, 2006

We all knew it would happen sooner or later, and with all the surgeries, infections and setbacks, it’s no surprise that Kevin would get a little down.

“We’re doing ok”, Joe said speaking of he and Catherine. “Kevin’s kind of struggling a little bit, he’s battling. He’s kind of gotten down and he’s having a hard time getting back up”, Joe said. With all that he has been through, especially the last major surgery, Kevin has fallen behind on therapy and not been able to walk in a while, all of which can add to the feeling that progress has stopped.

But of course it hasn’t, really. Every day that Kevin wakes up is a blessing, and for him not to BE up for a while is no great surprise, but it is hard for Joe who knows he can’t do it for Kevin. Our young soldier will have to do it for himself.

Joe said that the huge incision doctors added to Kevin’s body recently is healing well, and they are putting Kevin on a machine that automatically works his arm slowly, but they won’t let him walk just yet. He’s still getting around in his motorized wheel chair and “he’s hanging in”, Joe said. The downtime after surgery has set him back to the point where walking again means starting over with the tilt table and slowly adding weight to the legs. It must feel like starting over at zero for Kevin.

“Hopefully in a couple of days we’ll be able to get him out of that [depression], well no, HE’s got to start getting out of it. He has to do it on his own now. There’s not much more we or his doctors can do, it’s just a matter of him and his body now”, Joe added. “He’ll get over this and get back into the routine”, Joe added that he was warned from day one that this is a “roller coaster, they all go through this, you’re up and down and up and down until you’re up on top again”.

Joe loves talking a little bit about the weather when we chat and we talked about the snow here and some cold weather in Texas, which really causes craziness in a place where it’s just not supposed to get cold, much less icy! “In a ten hour period they had over 700 accidents, I couldn’t believe all that stuff”, Joe said. “They’re just not used to it”, he added.

Please don’t forget about those yellow ribbons. I told Joe about it, and he wanted to make sure they were for all of our soldiers, not just Kevin, I told him they were. We need to cover south Cheatham with yellow ribbons, so that our soldiers and their families will know that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kingston Springs Elementary School student Leah Rider, a 4th grader in Misty Cook’s class has been cutting yellow ribbons and passing them out to students at the school to display. She and her classmates passed out 80 to the 4th graders, and as soon as mom can get more they will start on the other grades.

You can go by AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and pick up a yellow ribbon from AmSouth employee Shawn Rider. She has purchased all she can get her hands on and will be passing out ribbon to anyone who wants it. Shawn wants to be sure that everyone who wants yellow ribbon can have some. She is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up in Kevin’s name.

There is a fund established for Kevin Downs at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation or any size, large or small.

Top of Page

March 08, 2006

By DALE GRAHAM
Kevin is doing really well, and “pretty much doing on his own now”, Catherine Downs said on Wednesday of this week. He can transfer himself pretty well now in and out of the chair and the bed, he is feeding himself, brushing his own teeth, and working hard in therapy.

Joe and Catherine Downs have decided, in what is likely the most difficult decision they have ever made, that the best thing for Kevin right now is for them to step back, and come home, and let Kevin take control of his life and continuing recovery. They have come home and are trying to get back to some form of a routine again. They get regular updates on Kevin from nurses and friends they have made in the months since that dreadful August day, and know that Kevin is still receiving top notch care from top notch professionals. “They’re taking great care of him down there”, she said. He has a therapist who “doesn’t give him a break”, and that’s a good thing.

“We’re just going to stay away for a little while, and do things that we’ve missed out on and catch up on here a little bit ... enjoy the spring time”, she said. Joe retired in April of last year. Kevin was wounded in August, and Joe and Catherine have been with him in Texas nearly non-stop since then. “We’re going to start all over. We’re going to pretend like he just retired this April 1st, and we’re going to start over”, she added.

Catherine said that Kevin is continuing to walk short distances, “trying to get his strength up”, she said. His wonderful nurses are pushing him just like Catherine did while she was there, and that is exactly what is going to have to happen to get him home.

And I would like to share a couple more really interesting things with you. First of all, if you have a computer and know about “Google”, go there now and “Google” Kevin Downs. When you do that you will be amazed to see that our Kevin is the top of a very long ‘hit’ list, which may explain in part why The South Cheatham Advocate is now receiving inquiries from all over the country about one of our local soldiers.

Secondly, I head recently from a gentleman named John in Pennsylvania who was thanking the paper for the updates on Kevin. He pointed me to a website called Operation: Mail From Home, www.operationmailfromhome.50megs.com

If you go there you will see a link on the left side that says, “SHOW THIS WOUNDED SOLDIER YOU CARE”. The link will take you to a brief article about Kevin, (which has him mistakenly listed as being 23, Kevin is only 21). That website is connecting this newspaper and Kevin to many people around the country who want to help, and are sending him cards and letters and prayers. It’s amazing, the way the world is connected these days.

But Joe and Catherine would probably insist that I make sure that you don’t forget, not for one second, that there are many other soldiers out there right now, some who will or have already come home, some who never will, that deserve your prayers and love as much as Kevin. Please don’t forget any of our soldiers, or our veterans.

Also: put yellow ribbons out wherever you can. He’s coming home someday, and that time is getting nearer rather than farther away. Go see Shawn Rider at AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and she will GIVE you a ribbon to tie on your mailbox, or a tree in your yard, or your car antenna, or wherever you want to express your support for Kevin and our other soldiers. Shawn is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up in Kevin’s name.

March 15th, 2006

Kevin continues to improve. In fact, a couple of soldiers from his unit went to visit him recently and took him out and around the base, even to the Riverwalk, a beautiful commercial district in San Antonio. It must have been wonderful for him to get out and feel a little more normal for a change. I don’t have the names of the soldiers who took the time to give Kevin a breath of fresh air, but if I get them I will pass them along.

That is just one more sign that he will get to come home some time soon. Please get those yellow ribbons out everywhere you can think of where it’s legal. If you like you can pay a visit to Shawn Rider at AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and she will GIVE you a ribbon to tie on your mailbox, or a tree in your yard, or your car antenna, or wherever you want to express your support for Kevin and our other soldiers. She is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up in Kevin’s name.

Top of Page

Pegram Independence Day Celebration

Grand Marshall Selected!
The 2006 Pegram Independence Day Celebration is going to be exciting! We are looking forward to the gathering and the fun that is planned for everyone. We are proud to announce this year's annual celebration theme is "Saluting Our Heroes" which leads us to our grand marshal. Who better to salute then…Kevin Downs?! Kevin has grown up in the Pegram/Kingston area, going to school and church with some of our own children. We love Kevin dearly and as we follow his progress through the Advocate and continue to pray for him, we thought it would be a good way to show Kevin we appreciate all that he's done and his dedication to serve our country. We want to 'salute our hero'…Kevin!

Now that you know the theme and grand marshal, start planning your floats for the parade. We want to represent Kevin and show him how proud we are.

Don't forget to call and sign up for your booth space. Rental prices are $35.00 for a 10x12 space and $45.00 for 10x12 space with electricity. If you are a non-profit organization, the price is $10.00 for non-electric space and $15.00 for space with electricity. The committee will also support the nonprofit group/venders' products and avoid having venders with the duplicate product or services to allow the fullest benefit for that nonprofit organization. So call early! You may call 646-6902 or 406-9516 to reserve your space and/or services. Feel free to call even if you just have questions or ideas. This is a good way to raise funds for your team, club, youth group, charity, school or church. You can provide face painting, dunking booths, funnel cakes, bake sales, watermelon slices, balloons…the list goes on and on and the options are nearly unlimited.

This year will be a year that you won't want to miss. We have a lot of new ideas and events in store for every one of all ages. Be sure to follow with the updates in the advocate each week to see exactly what you don't want to miss. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Thurs, May 18th @ 6:00pm at Pegram City Hall. Please come and be a part of the planning and volunteering. We can use all the volunteers that we can get.

April 1st, 2006

The news just keeps getting better and better from BAMC in Texas. “He’s doing a lot better since he got off that medication”, Catherine Downs said, “you wouldn’t believe it!” Catherine has been saying for weeks that Kevin needed to get off as much of the pain medication as possible in order to feel better physically and mentally, and she was of course, right.

Not only is Kevin walking on his new prosthetics, he’s also learning how to “squiggle himself out of the bed into his chair and squiggle himself back into the bed from his chair”, Catherine said. That’s a huge step toward getting home, Kevin has to be able to take care of himself before he gets to come back here. He’s also eating on his own, brushing his own teeth, “He’s just taken right off”, Catherine said. “As soon as he’s able to put those legs on himself he’ll be walking right out those doors”, she added. He still needs assistance with those legs and dressing himself, but therapy is working hard to knock those things off the list as well.

Catherine said that Kevin is looking better every day as well. “He got a haircut today, and got a shave, they’re keeping him in that military look”, she laughed. Aside from that doctors put some sort of “acid stuff” on Kevin's face and “it has really cleared it up”, Catherine said, “he’s really looking good”.

He’s sleeping in braces at night to help get his knees to straighten all the way out, and work continues to help him straighten his arm more, and get strong enough to be more and more self sufficient.

More and more you can tell that area residents are preparing for Kevin Downs’ return by getting out those beautiful yellow ribbons. Don’t put it off! Go see Shawn Rider at AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and she will GIVE you a ribbon to tie on your mailbox, or a tree in your yard, or your car antenna, or wherever you want to express your support for Kevin and our other soldiers. Shawn is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up in Kevin’s name.

Shawn would also like to thank the Kingston Springs United Methodist Women’s Group for their donation to purchase more ribbon, and Trish Harris for the big bag of tied bows that she brought, and everyone who has picked up a ribbon or made a donation.

April 8th, 2006

Kevin is doing really well, and “pretty much doing on his own now”, Catherine Downs said on Wednesday of this week. He can transfer himself pretty well now in and out of the chair and the bed, he is feeding himself, brushing his own teeth, and working hard in therapy.

April 15th, 2006

The fund for Kevin Downs is at any Community Bank and Trust location if you would like to make a donation of any size, large or small.

April 22nd, 2006

I told you last week that a couple of soldiers from Kevin’s unit went to visit him recently, taking him out and around the base, even off base, (shhhh, don’t tell his doctors!). I got the details and these pictures that you won’t believe from the guys, and I know it will probably make you cry just like it did me, to see how well he is doing, and how happy a day out made him.

SFC Mike Binkley and SSG Crocker from Army National Guard M Company out of Ashland City spent 3 days in early April with our Kevin, and none of them will ever forget it.

On their first day there, Binkley and Crocker talked to the doctors about what Kevin’s limitations might be. “We wanted to do something with him”, Binkley said, knowing that Kevin hadn’t left the hospital compound in quite some time. They talked to a doctor that thought it was a great idea, and suggested he would “push it up through all the doctors and get the board to approve it”. That approval didn’t come, they were told they could take him out on base, but not off base.

Thanks to a couple of hints from hospital personnel who suggested to the guys, ‘how are they going to know which way you go when you leave the hospital’, Kevin enjoyed a little time away from the hospital atmosphere he has gotten quite used to, and it may have been just the right medicine at just the right time.

“We took him downtown”, Mike said. “San Antonio is famous for the River Walk, it’s awesome, it’s one of the neatest things I’ve ever seen in my life”, he added. “It’s a river running through town, it’s got sidewalks on both sides of it and a boat”, you’ll notice one of the pictures shows Kevin in one of those boats.

“We took him to Hooters”, Binkley laughed, where Kevin was gifted with a shirt and hat, a coffee cup and other stuff, not to mention the picture where he is surrounded by Hooters’ waitresses. The guys took him to the mall, (Crocker bought Kevin a Michael Irvin jersey to add to his collection of Dallas Cowboys paraphernalia). “He had a big time, we all did, we had a great time with him”, Binkley said happily.

“He was in good spirits the whole time we were there”, Binkley said, adding that if you didn’t look at him, you would think it was the same old Kevin. “He talked the same, and acted the same”, Binkley added. Binkley was Kevin’s platoon sergeant before they left for Iraq. “We got separated when we got to Iraq, it was hard to let those boys go, they meant the world to us”, he said.

On the second day of their visit Binkley and Crocker took Kevin to a local steak house where the younger, smaller soldier, “out-ate me and Crocker, he can eat like a horse”, Binkley said. “He eats like a 250 pound man”, he added.

You will see when you read the article above concerning the Pegram Independence Day Celebration, that Kevin has been chosen as the Grand Marshall of the parade. We don’t know right now when he will get home, but it’s pretty clear that he’s coming. If he comes home long before July 4th, we’ll just have two parades for him. If not, and he makes it home in time for July 4th, we’ll meet in Pegram and have a celebration to beat them all! Either way, we will get the word out, please tie on some ribbons and get ready.

The nationwide, internet attention has grown exponentially since last week, and we here The South Cheatham Advocate don’t really know how to handle it. We’re getting emails supporting Kevin from all over the country, and it’s a bit mind boggling, but wonderful at the same time. Binkley talked about a retired Colonel in Nashville who had seen one of the emails circulating about Kevin. After verifying Kevin’s story, he sent out a mass email to the state of TN about Kevin. While Binkley and Crocker were in Texas they saw some results of that email: a Sgt. Maj. from the Texas Army came in with a copy of the Nashville email and some Popeye’s Chicken for all the guys; the next day a retired Army Chaplain who works at the hospital came by, saying he had received an email telling him he needed to go see our “young man”. The mailman came by the next day with a hand full of cards and letters.

But to sum up the visit, “it was a great trip”, Binkley said, “I think we liked it even better than he did”, adding that he really wants to get back sometime.

“We had a blast”, Crocker said when he got on the phone. “It was great getting him out”, Crocker said of Kevin’s little excursion. “He was upbeat, had a sense of humor about him. He eats good, that’s for sure”, Crocker added. Crocker is 255 - 260, he knows what eating ‘good’ means, he was impressed.

He was also impressed with how Kevin responded to people, and his demeanor. “He was content, and there were a bunch of people there. He made eye contact with people and gestured with a smile, it was amazing, he’s going to do well”, Crocker predicted.

If you can’t catch a hint with a catcher’s mit, here’s the straight up truth. Kevin’s coming home some time soon. Please get those yellow ribbons out everywhere you can think of. Go see Shawn Rider at AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and she will GIVE you a ribbon to tie on your mailbox, or a tree in your yard, or your car antenna, or wherever you want to express your support for Kevin and our other soldiers. She is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up at Community Bank in Kevin’s name.

Top of Page

May 6th, 2006

I know that some of you are beginning to panic because the updates aren’t as lengthy as they were not so long ago. Please don’t. Kevin continues to move along and improve, but there are reasons that have slowed some things down a bit.

Kevin is in need of surgery but it has been postponed for a bit because of a variety of reasons, including more wounded coming in to BAMC. There will be surgery on his left arm to work on bone growth, nothing unexpected. There will also have to be some work on his right leg. The skin on that stump is very thin, and when Kevin walks as often as he needs and wants to, it has a tendency to break down. The way to fix this is, (this is a bit graphic, but that’s the way doctors talk sometimes), to take a large chunk of meat from somewhere on Kevin’s body, put it on the site and then graft skin over it. That surgery will come 2 - 3 weeks after the surgery on his arm, and will keep him in bed for 2 - 3 weeks afterwards.

Many of you may think that all of that sounds terrible, but I want to share something with you. Yesterday I saw video that was made at the end of March of Kevin, walking. He was being attended to and was using a walker, but he was walking. His posture was good, he put one foot in front of the other just like the rest of us. He was exhausted after a short distance, (of course), but he was walking. Of course as you know there have been some setbacks since then and his walking has been curtailed for the tie being, but it will get going again when it’s time. He is also getting a little strength back in two fingers of each hand. Picking up a potato chip or a piece of a sandwich is not something everyone celebrates, but it probably feels like independence to Kevin.

Those of you who know my friend Donna Boggs, (also a bilateral amputee), are fully aware that you can’t necessarily tell who is “handicapped” and who is not. If Kevin’s head and spirit can come along as well as his nearly destroyed body has since August of 2005, you better watch out. Just like Donna Boggs and others who have dealt with such challenges, he may just be hard to keep up with.

So don’t stop praying for Kevin and all of our soldiers, past and present. They need it, and they deserve it.
Please get those yellow ribbons out everywhere you can think of. Go see Shawn Rider at AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and she will GIVE you a ribbon to tie wherever you want to express your support for Kevin and our other soldiers. She is not asking for payment, but if you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up at Community Bank in Kevin’s name.

May 13th, 2006

Not much of an update for you, but sometimes pictures are the best way to communicate. I can tell you that Kevin is still waiting on those surgeries. No idea when that will come, but in the meantime his appetite is probably getting better and better.

A couple of weeks ago I got an email from State Representative Phillip Johnson, (a Pegram resident), sent me a copy of a letter he had written to Texas Governor Rick Perry. In the letter Rep. Johnson told Governor Perry of Kevin’s service, his injuries, and his ongoing recovery at BAMC. He even mentioned that Kevin is a big Cowboys fan.

Johnson asked Governor Perry to take the time to go visit with Kevin, which he did in late April. He also asked the Governor to use whatever influence he has to get a player to go visit as well.

Now, it has come to our attention here at the South Cheatham Advocate that people all over the world are interested in Kevin’s recovery. If you’re reading about this on our website, and you have any pull with the Cowboy’s organization, give them a call and send them over! Have them tell Kevin his friends in south Cheatham sent them over!

As you can see in the photograph, Governor Perry has a proclamation of some sort, but I was never able to get information on what it says, (hopefully something like ‘the Cowboy Cheerleaders will be by next week!’)

Well, God bless Governor Perry, but I’m sure what you are all interested in is this beautiful picture. I personally think Kevin is looking better and better all the time. I’m anxious to see him up and about again soon. Sorry there’s no more to tell right now, but perhaps that’s good news.

So don’t stop praying for Kevin and all of our soldiers, past and present. They need it, and they deserve it.

May 20th, 2006

Ok, I sort of get to say the words that we have been waiting to hear since August of 2005.
Sort of, because I still don’t have a date, and honestly, until he gets on a plane and it lands at Nashville International, I probably won’t believe it.

But since it’s going to take us all a little time to REALLY prepare to meet and greet Kevin the way I think we all want to, HERE IS YOUR FIRST HEADS UP ... KEVIN IS COMING HOME!!! Now, here is where the “sort of” part comes in. It will be sometime in the next few weeks, maybe 2 weeks, maybe more, “some weeks”, Joe said. He will only be allowed to stay for two weeks and then he has to go back to the hospital for 2 major surgeries which will confine him to bed for about 3 weeks. After that there is a possibility that he will be able to come back for a couple more weeks. Case workers are busily making arrangements as you read this, but there are lots of arrangements to be made.

So, I would ask that area churches make sure that your phone trees are intact, and any other organizations that can help get the word out, please get ready to do so. Marching bands, flags to wave, posters, get ready! Get out yellow ribbons and everything else you can think of to help Kevin understand how much love there is for him here.
Now, if things start happening too quickly we will be sure to update you on the website: www.SCAdvocate.com. At this point I don’t think it’s going to happen that way. Maybe we’ll even have some firm word for next week’s paper. Right now though, the word is GET READY!!! HE’S COMING HOME!

Also, Kevin went out again for a steak dinner thanks to the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, and a San Antonio business owner who donates Monday night steak dinners. I would really love to send a big thank you card to the people of San Antonio for the way they apparently wrap their arms around the soldiers at BAMC.

Please get those yellow ribbons out everywhere you can think of. Go see Shawn Rider at AmSouth Bank in Kingston Springs and she will GIVE you a ribbon to tie wherever you want to express your support for Kevin and our other soldiers.

If you feel moved to do so, make a contribution to the account set up at Community Bank in Kevin’s name. The address to mail that to if you so chose is: Community Bank and Trust P. O. Box 340 • Kingston Springs, TN 37082

Update: May 27th, 2006

Editor’s Note: It is impossible for me to express in words what the following article means to me. I will try to briefly explain how this came about. I was contacted recently by Lynn Vincent, Features Editor for WORLD Magazine. She was working on a story for the major national newsweekly’s Memorial Day cover story. Lynn asked for help with reaching Kevin’s dad, Joe. Now, I NEVER give out Joe’s contact information, (so don’t bother asking), but after doing a little research on the magazine, its content and other work by Lynn, I called Joe and told him about Lynn, her work and interest in Kevin’s story. Joe agreed to talk to her.

After they talked she wrote and thanked me for connecting them, and this week sent a link to the article online. After I read it, (and stopped crying), I wrote and asked permission to reprint it in this week’s paper for all of us to read. We were granted that permission and are proud to share it with you here. However, I would like to point out that it is a very painful telling of the events that caused Kevin’s injuries, and took the lives of three other men, including Spc. Gary "Lee" Reese of Ashland City.

I have mentioned several times lately that our Kevin’s story has reached a national audience through the South Cheatham Advocate’s website (www.SCAdvocate.com), and this article is further proof of that. The magazine is occasionally available on newstands, but mainly through subscription. Copies are being sent to The South Cheatham Advocate. I will take whatever I can to the South Cheatham Library for all to see.

By way of an update, Joe Downs called to say that there may be a delay in Kevin’s much anticipated welcome home. There was surgery last Friday on Kevin’s elbow to repair a broken or dislodged pin that was causing complications. He was scheduled for more surgery on Wednesday and Friday of this week to flush out the elbow to safeguard against infection, and then to put “an external fixator” on the elbow to keep it from moving. All of this as we said before is what keeps Kevin’s homecoming up in the air, but please don’t give up, and keep the prayers coming! We will keep you informed as best we can and as quickly as we can.

We received email this week from a wonderful person who has been visiting Kevin since October. Carol Triesch of San Antonio is a volunteer at BAMC, and her Golden Retriever “Jasmine” is a “licensed therapy dog with Delta Society”. Carol, her daughter Amy and Jasmine see Kevin at least twice a week, and Carol’s words are the best update I could give you: “ I can’t begin to tell you how much I have seen Kevin improve over the last couple of months. He is becoming stronger every week and that beautiful smile is almost always on his face. He is a voracious eater…we take him food on Sundays and he is always hungry. His skin looks so good and his hair has completely grown back. My daughter, Amy drives in from Austin on Sundays just to visit Kevin. They are pretty much the same age and have a lot of fun teasing each other. She was a cheerleader at U.T. Austin so Kevin thinks that pretty cool. He also likes to tease her about her height which is 4’ 11’’. Just wanted to let you know that there are people in San Antonio that are looking after him and love him very much. I know he wants to be home but rest assured, he is getting the best medical care available anywhere! Thanks for the updates. You are doing a great job. Kevin is a real hero and it is an honor to be his friend.”

We even received word from Carol after Kevin’ surgery on Friday: “Amy and I went to see him on Sunday afternoon after he had surgery on Friday. He was in a little bit of pain but managed to eat a truck load of food from Cha Cho’s, his favorite Mexican restaurant here. Amy had to help him eat because it was so soon after his surgery. They had a good time joking with each other. Kevin had to pretty much eat lying down and Amy said to him, “Kevin, if you choke, I’ll kill you!!!” It was pretty funny and he thought so too. He is so brave and rebounds so quickly. He was back in therapy today. This may delay his trip home for just a short while but I know he was anxious to get the surgery behind him. Rest assured he is being well looked after here. I know you all want him home and we do too. As I said before, he has so many people praying for him.” Amen.

Grab some kleenex before you dive into the article below. Again, many thanks to Lynn Vincent for her work, and to WORLD Magazine for allowing us to share it with you.

Army of volunteers
Architects, businessmen, paramedics, moms, and dads by day, historic Tennessee National Guard unit paid the ultimate price in Iraq by night. This Memorial Day, we remember Lynn Vincent. The blast blew the Humvee doors off, launched its outsized engine block skyward like a toy, and catapulted a flaming man out of the gun turret into the ink-black night.

Less than a mile away, inside Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bernstein near Tuz, Iraq, radio traffic exploded: "Eliminator Five Alpha attacked by IED! Eliminator Five Alpha attacked by IED!"

Commanding a Humvee gun-truck and with two Bradley Fighting Vehicles in trail, Sergeant First Class James Sanders, 42, of the 278th Regimental Combat Team's 2nd Platoon ripped through the FOB's front gate. He could see a yellow-orange fireball lighting the horizon 1,400 meters away and hear machine-gun fire chattering across the distance.

SFC Sanders' squad closed the gap in less than two minutes. His driver, Specialist Clayton Crowell, braked hard and skidded to a stop behind the ruined Humvee, now an inferno. Two hundred fifty meters further on, another Hummer, commanded by Staff Sgt. Luis Aponte, was already on the scene, spraying bullets in arcs, securing the road ahead. Between the able Humvees, the burning gun-truck began to crack and zing as the thousand M240 rounds inside cooked off.

SFC Sanders shouted a situation report into his radio. Then from his left, he heard calls for help.
Aiming flashlights, SFC Sanders and his men spotted a soldier down, and sprinted toward him. The IED (improvised explosive device) blast had sent Specialist Kevin Downs, a 20-year-old gunner, 35 feet through the air. The 6-foot, 190-pound former wide receiver lay broken on the hard-pack, his right femur snapped, his desert-camouflage uniform burnt black.

Stricken, SFC Sanders bent over the injured soldier. "Are you in pain?"
No," Spc. Downs rasped, unable to feel his charred flesh, shattered arm, or that both his feet had been blown nearly off.

A medical team hunkered over the gunner, assessing, tending. "Who else was on your truck?" SFC Sanders asked, feeling the press of missing men. Reese, Hawn, and Taylor."

A gurney appeared and medics hoisted Spc. Downs aboard. Suddenly, the young soldier grabbed SFC Sanders' hand and stared fiercely into his eyes: "Promise me you'll go get those [expletives] that did this to me and my crew," he said.

"I will," SFC Sanders pledged. "2nd Platoon will do so."
In the moments ahead, that promise would harden into iron: Reese, Hawn, and Taylor were dead.

For many members of the 278th, that day, Aug. 13, 2005, now seems like a different life, one that perhaps contained their last unstained moments. The Army National Guard unit out of Knoxville, Tenn., landed in Iraq in November 2004. Lt. Col. Jeff Holmes, 44, a Nashville architect, commanded 3rd Squadron—700 of about 3,200 troops, including SFC Sanders' 25-man platoon.

For 10 months, Lt. Col. Holmes' squadron braved blistering firefights, treacherous house-clearing operations, and high-tension hunts for insurgents and IEDs, all without a single death.

The number of U.S. casualties in 2006—most killed by IEDs—roughly parallels the number killed from January through May of 2005. But in response to progress in forming a new Iraqi government, insurgents have tripled attacks on Iraqi civilians, killing more than 3,400 since January.

The possibility of losing men haunted Lt. Col. Holmes late at night, before sleep. "My goal was to accomplish the mission and bring everybody home, period," Lt. Col. Holmes said. "But I knew that the longer we went without losing anybody, the odds grew against us."

The storied 278th had emerged from an 18th-century populist military tradition in which small bands of rough country men routinely whipped fancy English armies. In fact, the men of the region stood so ready to offer themselves for service in arms that Tennessee became known permanently as the Volunteer State.

Against such a backdrop it didn't seem too much to hope that the 278th might add to the legacy by bringing every soul home safe. And by last summer Lt. Col. Holmes had begun to think that 3rd Squadron might be able to pull it off.

Then came the 13th of August, he said, "and all that kind of shattered."

The shattering continues, not only for the 278th, but for the friends and families of all 2,455 Americans killed in Iraq since fighting began in 2003. Every soldier interviewed for this article considers such sacrifices heroic and necessary. Still, with the fifth Memorial Day remembrances since the attacks of 9/11, the deaths in the war on terror hover over the present and—particularly for loved ones—cast long shadows into the future.

For SFC Sanders, it is a future with a hole in it. After medics carried Spc. Downs away, the sergeant retraced his steps. Rounding the right side of the Hummer, he saw a body-armored man lying face-down amid mangled radio parts and other debris. Rolling him over, SFC Sanders saw the face of Staff Sergeant Asbury "Fred" Hawn II, 35, his close friend.

"It surprised me when I found him," SFC Sanders told WORLD, his voice breaking. "I checked his pulse. There wasn't one."

A father of two from Lebanon, Tenn., Staff Sgt. Hawn imported his love for children to the 18 villages around FOB Bernstein. "He knew that the children would someday be the future of Iraq," SFC Sanders said. "Fred didn't speak Arabic, but with the children, he didn't need an interpreter." He brought them candy, gum, crayons, and paper, always gifting the smallest children first and teaching them to share. Chattering and happy to see him, the older children brought Staff Sgt. Hawn chai and he would sit and drink it with them, and with the older village men, SFC Sanders said. "You looked at him and he was on top of the world."

Edging around to the other side of the blazing Hummer, SFC Sanders found two more men lying dead under burning wreckage: Sgt. Shannon Taylor and Spc. Gary "Lee" Reese.

Only that morning, SFC Sanders had pinned sergeant stripes on Taylor, 30, a rough-and-tumble outdoorsman who cherished his country-boy upbringing in Smithville, Tenn. A born-again Christian who played guitar—he especially liked Alice in Chains—he passed out his grandma's homemade cookies to his platoon-mates, and wrote her letters to pass along their praise.

"He was very knowledgeable, very intelligent," SFC Sanders said. "If some guy wanted a little time off, Taylor would always fill in."

SFC Sanders remembers how the soldier looked when he was promoted to sergeant that morning. "There's no words to describe the glisten in his eyes—the pride, the sense of accomplishment," he said, then issued a broken sigh: "He wore the rank for less than 10 hours."

Spc. Lee Reese, 22, of Ashland City, Tenn., had wanted to celebrate Sgt. Taylor's new rank, which was why he was in the lead vehicle that day, instead of in the trailing Humvee.

"He was usually driving for me," said Staff Sgt. Aponte, 40, who was in command of the gun-truck traveling just 50 meters back when Spc. Reese's Humvee exploded. "He wanted to go in the first vehicle because he and Sgt. Taylor were getting close."

Besides that, Spc. Reese preferred dangerous missions to sitting bored in the FOB. In letters home, he was adamant that fighting for democracy in Iraq was the right thing to do. And he loved the people, Staff Sgt. Aponte said. "He used to be one of those guys who, every time we'd stop to search someone, the next thing you know, he's embracing the other guys, the Iraqis . . . letting them wear his sunglasses."

Staff Sgt. Aponte is now in counseling for severe post-traumatic stress disorder (see related story, p. 18), in large part due to the loss of his platoon-mates, particularly Spc. Reese, who had adopted him as a kind of big brother.

After he died, Ashland residents taped posters of Spc. Reese, smiling and waving the way they remembered him, in the windows of their homes and businesses. The National Guard promoted him posthumously to sergeant.

Specialist Kevin Downs, the only survivor of the Aug. 13 IED attack, also earned his sergeant stripes after the incident. But for the next four weeks he hovered near death. He suffered severe burns over 60 percent of his body, including his hands, rendering them useless. Unable to salvage his ruined feet, surgical teams amputated both his legs below the knees.

Doctors and nurses sat and cried with Joe Downs, 62, and his wife Catherine, twice telling them the young soldier would not live. As Christians, the Downses leaned heavily on prayer and ultimately, Spc. Downs did live, surviving more than 24 operations. Nine months after the explosion, he is still in the ICU at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Just this month, he has regained the use of the thumb and two fingers on his right hand, and the thumb and one finger on his left hand.

Back in October, SFC Sanders and Tennessee National Guard General Gus Hargett traveled to San Antonio to promote Spc. Downs in rank. By then, SFC Sanders had kept his promise: The village mutar who planned the Aug. 13 attack was locked in a Baghdad prison.

When he learned that his platoon sergeant was coming with a general to promote him, Spc. Downs "told the nurses that he didn't want to see us unless he was standing at attention," SFC Sanders said. "So we go in and here's this young man, standing at attention on his prosthetic legs with pride. I pinned his stripes to his hospital gown. He told me he accepted his situation, that God has different things for us in our futures."

In all, 3rd Squadron lost six men. On Aug. 22, Sgt. Joseph Hunt, 27, and Staff Sgt. Victoir Lieurance, 34, died in a roadside bomb attack. On Oct. 13, Sgt. Robert Tucker, 20, died when IED exploded near his Humvee.

SFC Sanders, who himself was injured in an Oct. 13 IED attack, doesn't want to forget the past. Every day, unbidden, memories play like video clips through his mind: Fred Hawn, completing paperwork with military precision, then inviting him to play Battlefield 1942 on linked computers . . . The live-wire Lee Reese hollering through the halls, "Mail! Mail's here!" . . . and affable tough-guy Shannon Taylor, traipsing to the latrine in flip-flops and pajama pants, toting an M-4 rifle.

SFC Sanders gazes sadly at the pictures of his fallen friends he keeps in his living room. "I miss them," he said.

Copyright WORLD Magazine 2006. Reprinted with permission

Top of Page

Update:June 3rd, 2006

Kevin has had further surgery last week on his arm, but is feeling better now. Carol Triesch, who we told you about last week, reports that he is even considering cleaning up his room, something she has been bugging him to do for some time now.

Carol spent most of the Memorial Day weekend with Kevin, and was thrilled to see him getting his appetite back a couple of days after the surgery, “I’m happy to report that he was beginning to be back to his feisty self. Sunday evening we took a picnic dinner and ate outside the burn ward with him. Some of the other soldiers joined us too. We had a really good time and Kevin was even laughing.”

Kevin had a copy of the WORLD Magazine story that we ran last week as well, and proudly showed it to Carol and daughter Amy. As I said last week, I have dropped a copy at the library in downtown Kingston Springs if you would like to see it for yourself.

I’m sorry that I don’t have a date to give you yet on Kevin’s return. The surgeries are of course holding things up, and have made things quite unpredictable again.

There is something you can do to help pass the time and prepare for his homecoming. I spent part of Memorial Day putting up some decorations at the Down’s house, and some yellow ribbons around town, and it was definitely the most meaningful Memorial Day I have ever spent. I wanted to share some pictures with you. Local resident and co-owner of “‘Tis the Season” at Rivergate Karen Cross, provided the flowers, I provided the ribbon, and my daughter Samantha provided the artistic talent and creativity to design these beautiful floral arrangements that we put out at Joe’s house on Monday. I can’t wait for Kevin to see them.

After that we drove around and put yellow ribbons out a several locations. It was really fun and special, and a simple way to show our soldiers and their families that we are thinking about them.

While we were out, we spotted a home where the owners had taken some spectacular bows and decorated some trees in their yard (above). Absolutely beautiful. I hope this will inspire you all to get out there and tie one on!

June 10th, 2006

Kevin Downs Update
By DALE GRAHAM
This week, I would almost just let you look at the pictures we have here to show you. After all, if a picture paints a thousand words, then my job is done!

Amy Triesch sent these pictures at the end of last week and I have been so anxious for the opportunity to share them with you. Of course the first thing is that Kevin looks so wonderful! His hair has grown back, his smile is enormous and he looks so much better. But isn’t it nice to “meet” some of the people who are looking after Kevin, and helping him get well and come home. Amy promises more pictures and regular updates, and I can’t wait!

Amy and Kevin Carol and Jasmine, (of Jazz as they call her from time to time). This is Carol, Kevin of course, and Major Murphy.

Last week Amy said was a tough one for Kevin. The “external fixator” that has been attached to Kevin’s arm is getting quite painful. Amy said it will be there for about 12 weeks, which is making a July 4th visit look less and less possible, (but I haven’t given up yet and you shouldn’t either!) Either way, I know that Amy and her mom Carol will put on the dog for Kevin and the other soldiers at BAMC on Independence Day. And speaking of that, we finally get to see Jasmine, the beautiful therapy dog that does so much for Kevin and others.

The good news is that sometime we will undoubtedly get to meet both Carol and Amy. “Kevin has made me promise that I will come to TN with my mom so he can show us “his” city!” Amy sounds like almost every other Texan I have ever met; they love their state. “I brag quite a bit about Texas and I think he thinks TN will give us a run for our money.” I always wanted to give my Texas friends a heads up comparison so that they could see we have the best, most beautiful, friendliest state, (or at the very least it’s a tie!)

Amy and Carol promise to send updates, and I send love from home whenever we talk. They (and Jasmine), are putting that smile on Kevin’s face and so many others as well. What a wonderful thing to do.

So there you have it. I don’t know when he’s coming home, but no one else does either. But if you’re thinking you’ve got lots of time to put off preparations, your wrong. Kevin is doing really well, and someday soon they’re going to load him up on a plane and send him home. So please get ready to welcome him home in the best possible fashion. I will be out again this weekend with some friends putting out more yellow ribbons. If one appears on your mailbox and you don’t want it, please pass it along to someone who does. (Those things are really tough to tie and hard on the hands!)

June 17th, 2006

By DALE GRAHAM
Joe and Catherine Downs headed to Texas this week, to be with Kevin for further surgery. Joe called Wednesday to let us all know how Kevin was doing as he headed in for what will be a long day.

But first, the Texas weather report. “It’s hot!”, Joe said, sounding upbeat, “Want us to bring it home with us?”, he asked.

“No thanks”, I said as I was enjoying the beautiful, cool Wednesday morning.

He reported that Kevin is in good spirits, looks well, and was ready to get on with his day in surgery. Doctors were going to “trim” both of Kevin’s stumps, which was to involve shortening the bones which continue to grow and cause problems, and try to build a bit of padding with the skin that should help cushion the area better for wearing his prostheses long-term.

They were also going to do further work on Kevin’s eyelid so that it will close completely when it’s supposed to. They also had work to do on Kevin’s left hand, beginning with his pinky finger. The skin grafts there were beginning to attach to the finger next to it. Doctors were going to make the decision while in surgery whether to detach the two, or remove the pinky altogether if it won’t be useful to Kevin in the long run. They may also do some work on the hand to give it some more flexibility.

If all of that sounds frightening, graphic, and painful, it undoubtedly is for the family, but Kevin has been living through days like this for nearly 1 full year now, and Joe said that Kevin was “ready to get on with the surgeries, and get them done”.

Joe and Catherine were also very impressed with the progress that Kevin has made since they made the difficult decision to give in to the requests of doctors and military personnel and come back to south Cheatham County.

“He’s learned a lot”, Joe said. They all went out to dinner this week, and Joe was very pleased with the way Kevin can move himself around in his wheel chair, and feed himself without assistance. A couple of times Joe confessed falling into the bad habit of saying, “We’ll do it for you”. Kevin would have nothing to do with that, saying, “No, let me do it”.

“He looks well. He has a long ways to go, but he’s on that road”, Joe said as he asked again for your prayers for Kevin and all of our military personnel.

Joe said Kevin looks great, even better than the pictures we had for you last week, and that he’s “getting bored, and wants to come home”.

I vote for that!

June 24th, 2006

By DALE GRAHAM
What a wonderful reunion the Down’s family had last week! Joe and Catherine couldn’t wait to see Kevin, and he was thrilled to see them and show them how much he has changed, and grown, and learned since they reluctantly came home at the Army’s request several weeks ago.

Joe came to visit me on Monday to share some pictures with all of us, and the one thing he said over and over was, “We’re so proud, we’re just so proud”.

Just to get the health report out of the way: Surgery went well last week. Kevin was in surgery for about 3 1/2 hours where doctors took another 1.5 inches off of his right stump. They are hoping this will do the trick, solve the problems with the bone growth as well as provide a cushion at the bottom of the stump to help keep the prosthesis from wearing so badly when Kevin is walking. They also took the rest of that badly damaged pinky finger, which isn’t such a bad thing. It was practically useless anyway and the grafts on it were causing their own set of problems.

There will be more surgery to regraft a spot on each of Kevin’s legs where the previous grafts aren’t taking, and work on that eyelid that is open a little too tightly. Considering the big picture of what Kevin has endured since August of 2005, minor stuff.

But enough of that for today. Listen to this.
Before surgery day Joe, Catherine and Kevin, Sgt. Jonas Richmond and wife Lisa, and a driver went out to dinner on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Joe said they had a wonderful time, and the pictures attest to that. He was amazed at how well Kevin can move himself around in his wheelchair without any help at all. He’s getting stronger and stronger, and more and more independent.

Joe talked about how hard it was not to offer help, but it sounds like he and Catherine managed to do what the doctors say is best, and let Kevin ask for help if he needs it. Joe talked about walking along the edge of the water down the Riverwalk, and that Kevin drove the wheelchair himself, (getting way to close to the edge for Joe’s liking), but never having any trouble. About how Kevin can adjust himself in the chair, cross his legs without picking them up like most everyone else.

Joe talked about dinner. When salads arrived, Kevin asked his dad to do him a favor. Of course Joe was glad to, and Kevin asked him to reach into the bag on the back of his chair and pull out a spongy-foam device, and put Kevin’s fork into it. Joe did that, and handed the device to Kevin, who then proceeded to devour his salad with no assistance.

Kevin asked Catherine for help once too. He asked her to cut up his steak. She did, and he had no trouble eating it himself.

A test came when the tea arrived. As much a test for Joe and Catherine as it was for Kevin no doubt, as the tea came in a rather large tumbler. Joe said Kevin looked and looked at the tea glass on the table, and then at his arm frozen by the “external fixator”. After a few minutes of that, he hooked his thumb and forefinger onto the rim of the glass, propped it on the “external fixator”, and hoisted the glass to his mouth to drink. Mission Accomplished!

To top off the entire wonderful evening, when Joe went to pay the tab, (he had already arranged to pay for everyone’s dinner that night) he was told that someone in the restaurant had already paid, anonymously, and then left. There are wonderful people in Texas too, obviously.

Kevin is up to 150 lbs., and as you can see looking better and better as each day passes. Another wonderful bit of news is that Joe was stopped several times while at BAMC, by family members of recently wounded soldiers, badly wounded soldiers, who have been helped and encouraged by the words and actions of his brave, still healing son. Can you even imagine the pride he must have felt?

I would like to tell you that I have a date when he will be home, or that he will be home for the parade on the 4th, but that’s not being said right now. However, it is also not being said that he positively won’t be here either, and that to me means there’s still a small chance.

So do what you do south Cheatham! Keep thinking those good thoughts, and keep praying for this soldier of ours, and all of our soldiers in harms way.

(L) some of the other wonderful people who are helping to take care of Kevin and his family while they are away from us. (R) Corvette owner Nurse Judy, Catherine and Corvette Club member James Nichols.

Top of Page

July 1st, 2006

By Dale Graham Kevin won’t be here to ride as Grand Marshall in Pegram’s July 4th Celebration, but Joe and Catherine will be, and they will be honored to ride in his stead. Come on out and wave a flag, blow Kevin a kiss on the video, and “Salute Our Heroes”.

I got an update from both Joe Downs and Carol Triesch this week, saying that Kevin is well, but still dealing with more surgeries. Doctors grafted his hand and left knee, and did the little snip on his left eye to help it close better. Things went well and he should be surgery free for at least a little while (few weeks?)

That’s good, he needs the break to build his strength between surgeries.

Kevin also dealt with some very sad news last week. I told you about the wounded soldiers that Kevin had been encouraging. One of them, Devon, didn’t make it. Here are Carol’s words, “Kevin had his last surgery on Friday of last week and sadly one of his soldier friends that he had been visiting in ICU passed away. Kev had really taken the family under his wing and was encouraging them and Devon (his wounded friend) on a daily basis. We told Kevin of Devon’s death the next day and I think it was very hard for him. Devon had been at BAMC since April 11. He fought so hard but his body just finally gave out.”

She goes on to say, “It is my pleasure and an honor for me that he has allowed me to become so close to him. I feel like I have a fourth child. I look so forward to the day that I can see him standing tall on his prosthetics. That will be a glorious day!”

Carol and daughter Amy have a grand July 4th planned for Kevin since he won’t be here to share it with all of us. First of all, his sister Shannon will also be there, flying down for the holiday. Carol describes the rest of the day in her email. There is no better way to share Carol’s words with you, than to just print them as they are written.

“We got him the cutest thing for the 4th of July. It is a cake made out of hard candy that is in the shape of the American flag. One of Kevin’s favorite things to do is to sit in the hall outside the burn unit and watch them lower the flag at 5:30. I sit there with him sometimes and it is so moving to see how much that flag means to him. He always asks me what time it is so he can be sure that he doesn’t miss it.

“I think he is really making progress and should be up and walking in the next few months. We will be with him on the 4th so he won’t be lonely. I know he is sad about not being able to come. I can’t even imaging being in his position but I told him the other day, “Kevin, I’m so thankful that there will be other 4ths that you can celebrate”. God kept Kevin with us for a reason and He obviously has big plans for him.

“I hope you all in Tennessee have a wonderful celebration. Please know that your special soldier is surrounded by people that love and care for him. We would adopt him for good but he is Tennessee born and bred and he wants to come home!”

And now on a personal note: As these updates have continued all these months, I find I am surprised, almost daily, by the decency of your average person. When we started them, that horrible week in August of 2005, I was afraid that there would be a response like, “Why don’t you butt out and let that kid have some privacy”. That hasn’t happened. Not once.

I kept doing them because the last thing I want Kevin to come home to is a bunch of questions and stares.
The beauty of all this is that Kevin will come home to people who have helped him walk through his life to this point, not just since his injury, but throughout his life. Your prayers, cards, loving thoughts and generous gestures, and those from people all over the world have truly made a difference, not only to Kevin, but to Catherine, Joe and Shannon as well.

I got a call this week from a gentleman in Murfreesboro. He’s a Veteran, who heard about Kevin because he received one of the many emails floating around the world telling Kevin’s story, and directing people to our website.
We talked for a while, because this man, this stranger, feels called to do something. He doesn’t yet know what, but something to help and honor Kevin.

We were both crying before the call ended. I get calls and emails like that everyday for this young man. I don’t think I’m doing much for Kevin and soldiers like him, but if supporting them with a flag or a yellow ribbon and a prayer helps in some way, then I’m helping.

And so are all of you.
God bless us all in south Cheatham. God bless our soldiers and veterans, and God Bless America.

Pegram’s “Salute to Heroes” Shows Love
& Support to Kevin and All Heroes

By: DALE GRAHAM
Since The South Cheatham Advocate goes to press on Wednesdays, we didn’t really have time to get all the event winners, etc. ready for this week’s paper. But we did get a few words from Joe Downs on Wednesday morning, and have a bunch of pictures from the morning parade which will be scattered throughout the paper (so we can get as many in as possible).

Congratulations to all concerned for another bang up job on the July 4th festivities in Pegram. From the pancakes to the parade to the music and fireworks and everywhere in between, it was truly a day to remember.

It was probably most memorable to two people who are approaching the end of what must have been a very difficult year. Joe and Catherine Downs were asked to ride as Grand Marshalls for son Sgt. Kevin Downs since doctors aren’t quite ready to let Kevin come home for a break from the hospital.

“We couldn’t believe the honor that we saw”, Joe Downs said, “words couldn’t match it”. He was talking about the flags and yellow ribbons, the signs, the people, the love. “A lot of his unit guys were there, including Sgt. Sanders, who found him”, Joe spoke emotionally of the soldiers who came out to ride in the parade honoring heroes, and the first man to get to Kevin that horrible day last August.

“We’re so thankful for the whole community and people around the country for a tribute like that”, Joe added. Catherine talked about people they met in Pegram who had traveled from all over the country to see the parade and the community. They have been following Kevin’s story on The Advocate’s website, and were drawn to join our celebration.

All I can share this week about Kevin is that he’s “feeling pretty well”, according to Joe. Kevin had some fun himself on July 4th and had a nice visit from his sister Shannon. I’ll have more next week.

The video from the parade and the giant card will be sent to General Mallory so that they get straight into Kevin’s hands. It was a wonderful tribute and a grand celebration! Thanks to all the organizers and volunteers who worked so hard to pull it all together. headlines: They would have happily given up their seats in the Grand Marshal convertible to son Kevin Downs, but Kevin isn’t able to come home yet, and Joe and Catherine Downs were honored to ride in his place.

July 15th, 2006
Kevin is Home!

By DALE GRAHAM
What do you do when you get a phone call where you hear the words you’ve been waiting to hear for nearly a year, and you want everyone to know? You call a friend, and send an email, and they tell someone, and they tell someone, and so on, and so on, and so on.

That’s the way it went after the words, “Kevin’s coming home tomorrow” were spoken to me by Joe Down’s sometime Monday, (I say sometime because it’s been a blur of tears, phone calls, emails, yellow ribbons and more tears ever since).

And what a beautiful day it was! Forget about the delay, (except that Kevin was stuck in an airport in Texas anxious to come home), what a glorious, beautiful, moving, patriotic and special day. Following so closely on the heels of Pegram’s perfect July 4th celebration only enhanced the mood.

News cameras from Nashville abounded to cover the good news, area residents came out in force, flags, ribbons, balloons, sirens, lights, the Band of Blue and all the other ingredients came together as though there had been time to prepare and rehearse.

Amazing what can happen in 24 hours with a little communication. And then he was here. Smiling, undoubtedly exhausted, but here. Home.

Back to the people who have never forgotten, never stopped praying, never stopped supporting and believing, and praying. Personally, I could write about it for days, but crying and typing are almost as difficult as taking pictures and crying, but I managed to get the pictures anyway, and I would rather just let you see yourselves welcoming home our hero.

And by the way of an update, I talked to Joe this morning, (Wednesday), and Kevin was sleeping soundly. Exhausted as anyone would be after a day like Tuesday. Sleeping, and home.

Welcome home Kevin, from all of us. We’ve missed you.

July 22nd, 2006
Sgt. Kevin Downs Reunites With Company D

Photographs and article by Daryell L. Smith
On Tuesday, July 11 the city of Kingston Springs welcomed home Sgt. Kevin Downs with a heartwarming parade and a tremendous show of support. Sgt. Downs was critically injured in an explosion in Iraq in August 2005 that claimed the lives of three fellow soldiers.

On Saturday, July 15, he was reunited with members of Company D, 4/177th Cavalry, formerly Company M of Ashland City. Sgt. Downs was escorted by his parents, Joe and Catherine Downs of Kingston Springs and his sister Shannon Lane of Whitehouse, Tn.

Sgt. Downs was greeted by 1Sgt. Robert Perry, senior enlisted NCO of company D and several members of the unit. Once inside the armory, he was swarmed by members of the unit who were overjoyed with his return.
While in recovery at Brooke Army Medical Center at For Sam Houston, Texas, Sgt. Downs was visited by several members of the Ashland City unit including SFC Michael Burke, SFC Mike Binkley, and SSG Louis Crocker. Catherine Downs stated she feels like this was a turning point in his recovery. "They came in and started talking Army", she said. "He realized that he hadn't been left behind and his friends still cared about him".

All three of the senior enlisted men who visited Downs had wonderful things to say about his recovery. ""He has made a 100% recovery", stated Binkley. All three reported that he has developed a more positive attitude and smiles more now than in the past. Burke added, "He is a real fighter and has overcome a lot of setback, both mentally and physically". SSG. Crocker stated, "Kevin's attitude indicates more and more a positive outlook, and his positive attitude is an inspiration to me".

Joe and Catherine Downs stated they have been amazed at the response from communities not just in the surrounding area, but all across the country. Joe told of an incident in Texas when an unidentified stranger paid for a meal for himself, his wife and two other couples and then left without a word. "We don't even know who to thank".
Additionally they had high words of praise for the men and women of Brooke Army Medical Center. Catherine said, "These people don't look at their positions as being a 9-5 job. They are there endless hours and continually show support, love and compassion for the men and women in the facility. It's like one big family".

At the facility, they became acquainted with retired 3-star General Glynn Mowery and his wife Amanda and General Graham. "The Mowery's would come to the hospital every day to visit the soldiers; she would always bring home-made cookies. They spent a lot of extra time with Kevin, even going to therapy with him", Catherine remarked.
Among his distinguished visitors, Sgt. Downs met country music singer Clay Walker, Representative Phillip Johnson of Tennessee, Senator John McCain of Arizona, Governor Rick Perry of Texas and President George W. Bush.

One of the most touching moments of the reunion was the appearance of SFC James Sanders who was the platoon sergeant of I troop where Downs had been assigned after his tour in Iraq began. It was Sanders who found Sgt. Downs after the bomb attack. SFC Sanders told in detail how he had been notified of the incident and responded immediately to the scene.

Sanders stated, "I wish I had an entire platoon of Kevin's. He was always ready for anything that happened; always the first to volunteer for any assignment. His mind was the mission comes first. When another soldier was down, he would always volunteer to take his place. Sometimes we would just be waking up and Kevin was already on the mount, checking the weapon and making sure everything was ready to go."

Only two months after Sgt. Downs was injured, the hum-vee carrying Sgt. Sanders and four more men came under attack from an IED. All 5 men suffered injuries but none were fatal. Sanders stated that initially they were separated when transported to different facilities and were to return home at different times. He emphatically stated, "No we came here together and we'll all go home together."

Speaking of Sgt. Downs, 1st. Sgt. Robert Perry of Company D commented, "I don't want this incorrectly understood. I think the word hero is often misused today. Just because we put on a green uniform doesn't make us a hero. He (Kevin) is a true hero".

Sgt. Downs has been featured on several worldwide websites. When asked how many cards he has received, he estimated the amount of between 15 and 20 thousand. Joe Downs said they had moved their exercise equipment out of a room and it has become a card room. He commented, "We have them stacked in boxes and the room is now about half full, from wall to wall and stacked about three feet high".

When asked about his goals, Sgt. Downs replied, "Right now, I just want to be able to walk again. Soon I hope to be able to put some pressure on my left arm but right now the main thing is to be able to walk." Kevin remarked that he was surprised at the huge turnout on the day of his return to Kingston Springs. He stated, "I didn't know that many people lived here". It was also reported that Sgt. Downs is looking forward to the day when he can own a new corvette.

The Downs family also would like to publicly express their deepest thanks to the Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova, Tn, and to Captain Wayne Culbreth, commander of Company D, who made it possible for them to have a van with a wheelchair lift so they can transport Kevin during his short visit back home.

On July 29 (tentatively scheduled for 2p.m.), Sgt. Downs will be the guest of honor at an awards ceremony at the Harpeth High School. On August 6, a dinner will be held in honor of Sgt. Downs at the VFW Post 1970 on Charlotte Pike in Nashville.

And a local visit

By DALE GRAHAM
I have been hearing that several of you have been visited by Kevin since he got home. I even got a very excited phone call one evening from someone saying, “I just saw Kevin at Sonic!”

I too got a visit this week at my home from Joe and Kevin Downs and just wanted to share a few things with all of you. Joe has come by from time to time over these many months, early on the visits were an opportunity to cry and hug each other and hope that keeping all of you informed and praying would somehow help bring this boy (man ... sorry Kevin) home to us.

This time things were different, and I spent some time with a wonderful young hero who doesn’t yet know the impact that this will all have on his life, because he still has so much healing to do, both physically and mentally. However, what I want you all to know is that he is Kevin, the same Kevin. The same smile, beautiful eyes and great sense of humor, and if you get the opportunity to spend a minute with him, do it. He won’t break, he won’t give up, and every ounce of love that we can share with him over these next few weeks will only serve to help him when he returns to BAMC for more surgery and rehab.

I felt so comfortable with him that I even teased him a bit, and I believe he was thinking about smacking me for it, (which has got to be GREAT therapy!). I read to him from an email I received from a member of the Original Corvette Club of St. Louis, which has made Kevin an honorary member. As I read the email about a package they had sent to Kevin, I kept throwing in made-up sentences about the Corvette they were sending him, (I think we all know that Kevin really wants a Corvette at some point in his life). Each time I would say it, I would of course quickly add, “just kidding”.

“Not funny”, he said.

Over all these months it never occurred to me that I would someday be joking with him, teasing him, laughing with him.

It was, again, a day I will never forget. The human spirit is quite an amazing thing, and if you need to feel the strength of it, you need to spend a minute talking to this young man. And if you can get your hands on a new Corvette, he wants either black, or Dallas Cowboy blue, convertible of course.

Kevin wants to thank everyone for their continued prayers and support.
There is an event being planned for Saturday, July 29th at Harpeth High School, (either in the gym or the theater) for Kevin. Military officials will be on hand to present him with his Purple Heart, and other local officials will also be on hand with other surprises. It will be open to the public, but of course space will be limited. We will try to have all the details for you in next week’s South Cheatham Advocate.

Several of you have asked that I continue to run the information about the account set up in Kevin’s name. That account is set up at Community Bank and Trust. You can visit any branch, or mail it to: Community Bank and Trust
P. O. Box 340 • Kingston Springs, TN 37082 You can also continue to send mail to Kevin at this address:
Sgt. Kevin Downs P. O. Box 118 Kingston Springs, TN 37082

Award Ceremony Honoring Sgt. Kevin Downs Scheduled
for July 29th, 2006: Kevin Downs Day

By DALE GRAHAM
The Army is coming to town again this weekend, and they’re bringing their big guns to honor our big hero, Sgt. Kevin Downs. Everyone is invited to attend.

Two of the really important members of Kevin’s Texas family are coming here to get a taste of Tennessee. Welcome Carol and Amy! The ceremony will be held in the Harpeth High School Theater beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29th. Major General Gus Hargett, The Adjutant General of the Tennessee National Guard will be on hand to bestow the Purple Heart on Sgt. Downs, as well as his Combat Action Badge. The Color Guard from Company D, 4-117 Infantry (Co. M) will post the colors.

Kingston Springs Mayor Gary Corlew will present Sgt. Downs with the Proclamation naming July 29th, 2006 “A Day Honoring the Service and Sacrifice of Sgt. Kevin Downs.

Leslie McDaniel will sing the National Anthem, area resident Wanda Roberson will sing “There’s Not a Crown”, and there will be other special presentations as well.

And if you have been following Sgt. Downs in the S. C. Advocate, you are probably aware of who Carol and Amy Triesch are. Carol, her beautiful dog “Jazz”, and daughter Amy are two of the ‘angels’ who have been watching over Kevin in the hospital in San Antonio, and helping him get well enough to come home to us. They will both also be on hand to watch Kevin receive his honors, to celebrate Kevin Downs Day, and get to know the people and the places that Kevin loves and calls home.

Everyone’s invited. The event is free and the more the merrier.

Top of Page

Sgt. Kevin Downs Awarded Purple Heart - Combat Action Badge by Major General Gus Hargett Emotional Day Saturday ... Exhilarating Ride Sunday! 08/05/2006

By DALE GRAHAM
Less than a year ago, Sgt. Kevin Downs nearly lost his life in a bomb attack in Iraq. Since that day in August of 2005, family and friends have prayed for his survival. On Saturday, many of those people gathered to watch that soldier receive some of the honors he so completely deserves.

It will be nearly impossible to describe the Award Ceremony honoring Sgt. Kevin Downs, held at the Harpeth High School Theater on Saturday, July 29th, 2006 (Kevin Downs Day), to those who were unable to attend.

Sgt. Downs was in proud attendance and in uniform, along with: his family including Joe and Catherine Downs, sister Shannon and her husband Barry Lane and their two children; Carol and Amy Triesch, the mother and daughter who have cared for Kevin like he was family for many months in the hospital at San Antonio; the parents of Sgt. Gary Lee Reese who was killed in the attack that wounded Kevin; hundreds of friends, military and civilian; as well as military and political dignitaries the likes of which this end of Cheatham County has quite possibly never seen gathered simultaneously.

The official party of the ceremony included: Sgt. Kevin Downs; Adjutant General MG Gus Hargett; COL Jeffrey Holmes, Commander 278th Cavalry BCT; CSM Roy Williams, Senior Enlisted Advisor TNNG; and CSM Jim Kyle, Cmd Sergeant Major 278th Cavalry BCT. After they all took their places on stage the posting of the colors was carried out by Company D, 4-117 Infantry, 278th CBCT.

Leslie McDaniel started the tears flowing with a beautiful a capella rendition of the National Anthem, followed by Bro. Roy Brock’s personal invocation where he spoke of Kevin coming to his house for dinner as a kid, usually on steak night. Wanda Roberson added to the emotional day when she sang a song the family had requested, “There’s Not a Crown”.

Major General Hargett spoke eloquently before presenting Sgt. Downs with his Purple Heart, which is awarded to any member of the armed forces who is wounded or killed while serving in action against enemy combatants. He then presented Downs with the Combat Action Badge which is given in special recognition to soldiers who personally engage the enemy, or are engaged by the enemy during combat operations.

Following those presentations, Kevin received plaques and honors from Tennessee State Senator Rosalind Kurita who presented Downs with a "Day of Recognition" on behalf of Gov. Phil Bredesen and the state of Tennessee. Kurita then, as a “patriot and a mother”, presented Kevin with a Red Oak tree for his parents front yard, and encouraged him to continue in his efforts to “stand tall” like the oak.

County Mayor Bill Orange presented Kevin and members of the 278th with plaques on behalf of the County Commission, and Kingston Springs Mayor Gary Corlew presented Downs with the framed proclamation declaring July 29th as a day in his honor.

Corlew then asked his brother David to the podium. David is the manager of legendary musician Charlie Daniels, who could not be in attendance but wanted to support Kevin as he has supported the military throughout his career. Corlew read a personal letter from Daniels, and presented him with gifts including a life-time back stage pass to any CDB (Charlie Daniels Band) concert, as well as an autographed fiddle.

After the presentations were made, Kevin took some time to speak, and his first words were to introduce “the guy who saved my life”, Maj. Don Spradlin, the first on the scene of the horrific attack that killed the three other soldiers in the humvee Kevin was riding in. Spradlin stood in tears, but was soon obscured by the standing ovation of the emotional crowd that surrounded him.

Kevin acknowledged his unit, Carol and Amy, his sister and her family, and his parents for all they have done to help him survive the challenges of his injuries.

Kevin’s father Joe and sister Shannon also thanked the community and military for their support, and Kevin for his courage. Before speaking, Shannon walked to Maj. Spradlin, tearfully hugged and thanked him for saving her brother’s life.

After the incredibly moving ceremony wrapped up with the retiring of the colors, the audience was invited to stay and talk to Kevin, his military friends and the family in an informal reception. Most did just that, and Downs stayed in the lobby speaking to people for as long as they wanted to stay.

... and then there was Sunday

By DALE GRAHAM
The emotionally exhausting but beautiful and touching ceremony on Saturday was followed by a wonderful surprise on Sunday. Members of the “Original Corvette Club of St. Louis” were planning their Sunday road trip, and decided that a quick trip to Kingston Springs was in order. They gave Joe Downs the heads up on Saturday evening, (which he of course kept secret from Kevin, but not me) and on Sunday they headed to town.

After doing a few U turns in Kingston Springs while trying to get their bearings, (with a crazy woman in a Subaru Outback behind them trying to catch up and get them on track!), they pulled into the drive next to the Downs’ home in a full parade past the beaming soldier. I pulled in next to Kevin, he smiled at me and said with a gleaming question mark in his eyes, “Which one’s mine?”

My heart said, “Whichever one you want!”, but of course I knew the what he was going to probably get from this trip was a lot of love and a ride, but man oh man what a ride!!!

The group brought gifts: T-shirts, model Corvettes, and even a $200 gift certificate for the gift shop at the Corvette museum in Bowling Green, KY. Kevin was pleased and grateful.

But then he heard the words he may have been longing for, “Who wants to go for a ride?” After Kevin quickly said that he did, the next tough task for him was to “pick one”. Of course, it was blue, and a convertible and he was in it and on the road in short order. The group then instructed the rest of the family and a couple of very happy S. C. Advocate employees to pick their own, which we all quickly did. Joe, Catherine, Shannon, Kevin’s nephews, Jessica and Dale Graham all picked their favorites and headed out Hwy. 70 for the ride of a lifetime. Shannon’s husband Barry, graciously and bravely stayed behind to video tape the departures and arrivals.

I can’t tell you how much Kevin enjoyed his ride, but I think the smile tells it all. The group of Corvette owners who made the trip down were quite touched by Kevin’s courage as well as his sense of humor, especially when he returned from his ride, rejoined the anxiously awaiting group and said the word, “I just need one thing ... $52,000.00”. I told him I was working on it. SOMEBODY GET THIS KID A CORVETTE!!!

You just have to look at the photographs to see how much this weekend, and the entire trip home has meant to Kevin. He seems stronger than when he arrived, both physically and emotionally. If you attended the Purple Heart ceremony, especially if you knew Kevin as the quiet HHS student athlete, you had to notice the confidence with which he spoke so emotionally to the people in the theater that day.

This is a great community of loving people, and the doctors in San Antonio were very smart to send this young man home to us for this visit. Thanks to all of the people, both local and around the world, who have taken the time to reach out to him, who have traveled to honor him, and who continue to pray for him.

Kevin Downs Foundation

©2008 Sunshine Communications LLC	Site Map
Last Updated: 10/24/08	Web Master: J. L. Graham

January 6th, 2006 President Bush visits

January 14th, 2006

January 21st, 2006

January 28th, 2006

February 4th, 2006

February 11th, 2006

February 18th, 2006

February 25th, 2006

March 08, 2006

March 15th, 2006

Pegram Independence Day Celebration

April 1st, 2006

April 8th, 2006

April 15th, 2006

April 22nd, 2006

May 6th, 2006

May 13th, 2006

May 20th, 2006

Update: May 27th, 2006

Update:June 3rd, 2006

June 10th, 2006

June 17th, 2006

June 24th, 2006

July 1st, 2006

Pegram’s “Salute to Heroes” Shows Love & Support to Kevin and All Heroes

July 15th, 2006 Kevin is Home!

July 22nd, 2006 Sgt. Kevin Downs Reunites With Company D

And a local visit

Award Ceremony Honoring Sgt. Kevin Downs Scheduled for July 29th, 2006: Kevin Downs Day

Sgt. Kevin Downs Awarded Purple Heart - Combat Action Badge by Major General Gus Hargett Emotional Day Saturday ... Exhilarating Ride Sunday! 08/05/2006

... and then there was Sunday

January 6th, 2006
President Bush visits

Pegram’s “Salute to Heroes” Shows Love
& Support to Kevin and All Heroes

July 15th, 2006
Kevin is Home!

July 22nd, 2006
Sgt. Kevin Downs Reunites With Company D

Award Ceremony Honoring Sgt. Kevin Downs Scheduled
for July 29th, 2006: Kevin Downs Day