2005 | 2006 | Concert | Bringing Home a Hero
Downs Injured in Iraq Attack 08-20-2005
Many, many prayers are being said by area residents for our soldiers fighting far from home. Those prayers took on new meaning this week, as word spread that Sp/4 James (Kevin) Downs was injured when the Humvee he was traveling in was struck by 4 explosive devices early Sunday morning in Iraq, (Saturday evening local time). “Kevin was blown 60 feet”, his dad Joe Downs said. His injuries include both legs broken, broken arm and pelvis, and 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 60% of his body including burns to his eyes, throat and lungs.
On Tuesday morning the report coming into the family was that Kevin’s kidneys were beginning to function, his blood pressure was coming up slightly, his bones were being pinned temporarily, and that was enough stabilization to make plans to transport Kevin from the hospital in Germany to a burn unit in San Antonio, Texas. He was transferred Tuesday, and in surgery Wednesday morning.
Kevin was the ‘lucky’ one. He was riding in the turret of the Humvee with “part of his family, those three guys, he called them his family, they died”, a tearful and shaken Joe Downs said Tuesday morning. All four men are members of the 278th out of Ashland City assigned with an elite team of the U. S. Army Snipers (Cobra Unit). 22 year old Sgt. Gary Lee Reese of Ashland City, 35 year old Staff Sgt. Asbury F. Hawn Jr. of Lebanon, and Sgt. Shannon D. Taylor from Smithville were all killed in the attack.
“I want people to know that Kevin is so proud of what he’s doing for another country”, Joe said Tuesday. “He [Kevin] said most of those people over there appreciate them and want them over there. He said that most of the kids come to them when they are out on patrol wanting candy and water and they just love for them to be there. It’s just that you have a few that don’t”, Joe added. “But we don’t hate those people for that, we don’t understand them, but we don’t hate them”, he said.
Kevin is engaged to B. J. O’Brien, but he wants to finish his tour before they tie the knot. Kevin even told Joe that when the Iraq tour was complete, if he were to be redeployed he would ”go to Afghanistan and help out there”.
“I know God’s taking care of him”, Joe said, “Pray for him”.
