U.S. Air Force Nurse, Lucy Lehker, comforts an ‘unknown’ Canadian soldier after he was badly wounded in Afghanistan.
Dear Michael Yon,
Today we were sent your story of February 14, 2010. The “unknown” Canadian is our son Danny. He is a 23-year-old soldier from Vancouver, Canada.
Your photographs were extraordinary and have impacted so many people here in Canada. There has been an outpouring of affection for the Americans who helped Danny in his moment of need. For that, we thank you for recording these acts of kindness into history.
Danny’s injuries were the result of an explosion on February 12, 2010. Four Canadian soldiers were injured and tragically one Canadian soldier was killed. Within 20 minutes of the explosion, Danny was airlifted by helicopter to Kandahar. Upon arrival he received emergency surgery that saved his life and prepared him for the flight to Bagram that you were on. After landing in Bagram, Danny was again airlifted by a US transport aircraft to the US Army run Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. There he underwent additional surgery that closed up his wounds. Once stabilized, the Canadian government dispatched a Challenger jet to bring him home. This afternoon in Vancouver, the shrapnel that did all the damage to him was finally removed. Danny is now recovering in hospital.
This was Danny’s second tour of duty in Afghanistan and his platoon on this tour has had heavy causalities and injuries. Physically, Danny will overcome his injuries. He also has the support of his family, his friends and his community to deal with the emotional side of this war. Our hearts go out to those families who have had the loss of a soldier or who have had to deal with greater injuries.
Danny and his whole family are very grateful, and are actually overwhelmed, by the support he received while in US care. The Canadian military have also been wonderful. It is our intention to personally thank everyone who worked so hard to save Danny’s life. We have already made contact with Major Deborah “Lucy” Lehker to thank her.
Sincerely,
Jim & Holly
Full Story:
Valentine’s Day Weekend, Afghanistan
The War in Afghanistan has truly begun. This will be a long, difficult fight that is set to eclipse anything we’ve seen in Iraq. As 2010 unfolds, my 6th year of war coverage will unfold with it. There is relatively little interest in Afghanistan by comparison to previous interest in Iraq, and so reader interest is low. Afghanistan is serious, very deadly business. Like Iraq, however, it gets pushed around as a political brawling pit while the people fighting the war are mostly forgotten. The arguments at home seem more likely to revolve around a few words from the President than the ground realities of combat here. I can bring the ground realities, but can sustain the coverage only by the graciousness of readers. Please keep that in mind. Please click…
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94 Comments
Michael, the work you are doing there, telling the stories of these war is as vital as the reporters of WWII. Keep up the good work. Your stories will make a terrific book or movie, much like Band of Brothers.
Thank you!
As always Mr. Yon, touching and poignant. May God Bless all of our brave soldiers, and their families, please keep up the good work.
God Bless the brave Canadian military, our great allies, and their courageous families.
Thank you for the update. I passed it on to my Canadian friends.
I followed Michael's link, and don't know what to say, other than everyone who reads his post above should do so as well. I donated a little, hoping to help out Michael's effort in some small way, and hope others will consider doing this too.
Thanks also to Andrew and Michael Walsh for this post. Keep up the good work, ya'll.
God bless those brave men and women who serve in a faraway land to keep us safe at home. Also, god bless you, Mr. Yon, for telling their story fully and truthfully.
Great story; thank you. Why doesn't the mainstream cover these partriotic, compassionate stories. Happily Americans (and Canadians and others) turn to you for them. Keep up the excellent reporting.
May God bless and keep all of you in his sight. Thanks for bringing this story.
You are the best Michael. Thank you. I am sorry Danny's squad got hit. My prayers are with them. God speed.
"Everything I learned about the Iraq war I learned from his reports. Everything else reported turned out to be crap."
I was thinking that exact same thing yesterday, Des. Michael is the best war correspondent. If you follow his blog, there is a lot more on there. I follow his writings closely.
Michael
You do great work…Under-appreciated and overlooked except here…
All who fight for FREEDOM are heroes…Even Canadians…
SOMEBODY GIVE NURSE LUCY AN AWARD – AND A GOOD ONE AT THAT, ARCOM OR BETTER. Look at her unabashedly compassionate and poignantly personal care she extends to this soldier – not even one of our own, and yet, absolutely one of our own as a brother in arms, a neighbor, and a son of two countries in alliance woeking towards a common, honorable purpose. HOORAH!
Mr. Yoo as always great job. You do an excellent job of advocating for our troops.
It is time for the American people to step up and provide our troops with a Commander in Chief worthy to lead them from now on…
I was in the Marines,but I know when someone is giving me fake appreciation when I see it.
We have killed probably 500 thousand or more people as a result of the invasion of Iraq which was based on a lie,how can anyone thank the military machine that has done that?
Not only that,we are actually being pushed into attacking another nation that never attacked us,Iran.
When will this insanity end?
How much direction can Israel have over US policy and destruction to it before sleepy Americans awaken?
Don't forget Michael's only source of income is from YOU.
She's the kind of Clinical Specialist (US Army) I wanted to be…I HATED Carter when he limited my abilities to learn and develop as a clinician because he cut the funding…the bastard…
You want to award Lehker…?
Make sure you people do your very best to support the missions and demand the absolute best for the troops in the field…so she only has to do this part as little as possible…
That's what makes us happy…NOT having to do this part of the job…we'd rather handle dermatitis, hangnails, and checking field sanitation facilities…
Thanks for saddling up and rolling out, Michael…
Dear Jim and Holly (Parent of Danny)
Your son is a hero and an example for all Canadians and for all of us here in America.
God Bless your family, your wonderful son, and ALL the men and women in our armed services.
[...] the rest here: » From Canada: A Thank You to U.S. Service Members – Big Journalism Share and [...]
TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ,
Thank you to the Women and Men of the U. S. Armed Services for the Gallant and never ending support for our Women and Men of the Canadian Armed Services . As our neighbour with longest undefended border in the World our relationship has fostered a great Alliance both Commercially and Militarily . Though of our philosophies may differ on some issues I thank GOD every night that you are our neighbours and partners in the battle against ISLAMO FACISM !
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS… Steven W. Kerr, a Canadian
You can thank the "military machine" that is willing to take on the terrorists and extremists that call for the destruction of all things Western (non-muslim) in their own land. We went into Iraq based on mis-information. Information that Saddams own generals thought they possessed chemical weapons. Weapons used against their own people, or did you forget that? An evil dictator was overthrown and an allie was formed in a region of turmoil.
Now Iran is trying to develop nuclear weapons in a region of tremdous turmoil, terrorist training camp, political corruption, and calls for the destruction of another nation. Do you really think this will stop if we just turn our backs?
Jim, Holly, and Danny,
Thank you for our freedom.
Luke, Oklahoma
I had the honor to work with the Candadian Forces during my time on Active Duty. I was always impressed with their sense of duty and professionalism. We have no better allies or better friends than our good neighbors to the North.
Just…wow. Great stuff, Michael. Thank you.
How can you read a post like this and claim that family is showing "fake appreciation"? Its a good thing you are no longer in the military… I am, and I know when someone is appreciative of what we do. Articles like this help us to realize our importance to the mission.
I may not be a front-line soldier; but, I help maintain the vehicles that take our injured warriors from the Flightline at Ramstein Air Base to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. I know without a doubt that Danny traveled in one of our vehicles to get treatment at Landstuhl… that's my impact on the mission.
Look at your impact. Your words are like a cancer to the mission… you were a Marine, (although, I rarely hear a Marine say they "were" in the Marines. Whatever happened to "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" you should know better.
Our thanks to Danny and all the brave Canadian soldiers and to our brave soldiers as well.
The two Michaels: Yon and Totten are the best thing to happen to war journalism since, at least, WWII. No political affiliation, just an amazing drive to tell the truth. I'm in awe.
I've donated a little to Yon, and bought his book as well. When I can afford a larger donation, I will surely make one along with one for Totten if he's still traveling. Having an honest reporter on sight is invaluable. Which is why the MSM isn't picking up these stories. They just like to steal photos in order to manipulate them and twist their meanings.
Good luck, Michael. And well deserved blessings to Danny, his family and all the troops.
Killed a half million? I think I need to see some proof that you were in the Marines for more than a couple of weeks of boot camp. That's not the sort of mistake the people I know who were in are inclined to make.
Oh, yeah: The only actual lies told were from Saddam (who wanted to convince Iran he had WMDs so they better not invade), Wilson, Plame, and the other anti-Bush twits.
Bush turned out to be mistaken, as did the Democrats who originally supported restarting the war. "Mistaken" does not equal "Lied".
The Canadians, Dutch, Brits, Aussies and New Zealanders are all doing a great job and don't get much support at home for doing it either.
All Canadian's should read this letter. We are very lucky to have the American's as our neighbours.Strong and proud!
I hope America is staying strong . With Obama I do NOT know!! Great story Michael.
The Canadians are doing a dang fine job over there.
The Candians are doing a fine job over there gets deleted?
Just dropped a donation in your tip jar.
The joy and happiness from the peace of mind your work gave that brave soldier's family and community is more than proof to me just how important your mission is.
Agreed. I haven't seen a correspondent as deep in the story as Mr. Yon since World War II.
You know what I used to think when I saw Dan Rather, taking fire in Vietnam, hiding behind a rock or sand bags?
Let's hear it for the camera man getting shot at so Rather could have THE perfect angle of his good side.
That's all takes, donating a little. If enough people do it, it adds up. I made one too. The peace of mind these images brought the soldier's family is proof enough for me.
not even one of our own
Yeah, he was. I'm not arguing or anything I know what you meant, just saying, yep, Canada is on our side. The free world. He was one of us.
Hey DGL-
Grow up you ass.
Don't forget, saddam did in fact have wepons of mass destruction. The idea that that fact has been forgotten drives my batty.
Saddam had them. He used them in the Iran/Iraq war. He used them on the Kurds. He used them on the Shiites.
When saddam finally kicked Scott Rider's UN team out of Iraq a few years before the war, he had obtained, cataloged, and scheduled for destruction some 75,000 liters of VX. saddam did not destroy these valuable weapons out of his love for his fellow man.
Saddam had WMDs. Period. The question is, where are they now.
Onward Freedom soldiers!
Amen.
god bless all our servicemen please get our airforce into action and give the ground troops a lot more aircover no more sitting ducks turn the place into a gravel pit like we did in ww2
[...] See the original post here: » From Canada: A Thank You to U.S. Service Members – Big Journalism [...]
You were never a Marine. You're a troll. Back to the sewer with you!
O Canada! True patriot love in all thy sons command.
Thank you for standing with us in this good fight. God bless Danny and the good sturdy lads he left behind. May his wounds heal quckly; and, may his sons and daughters grow strong and proud like him. There is hope for the West.
Danny is the reflected image of his parents. Ton front est ceint de fleurons glorieux!
Always Faithful. A grateful United States Marine (In Repose)
Since my son will be heading into your neighborhood soon, I thought it most necessary to drop some coinage into your juke-box.
Your dispatches are music to my ears. Keep up the OUTSTANDING work!
Richard
Chilling photography. I feel helpless.
Many people don't know of the sacrifices of the Canadian Military.
While I'm born and raised in Brooklyn NY, mom's side hails from Canada.
I grew up with the Memorial Cross that was given to my grandmother upon the KIA of her only son, aboard the HMCS Spikenard in Feb 1942.
I still have the medal, along with photos of him aboard that ship.
Thanks for the story.
Btw, nurses are great people.
While there are a lot of touching stories about war. . . . nevertheless, we will lose in Afghanistan just like Alexander the Great, just like the British Empire and just like the Soviets. You want to know why? There's nothing to win. We're occupying a wasteland with nothing to do but to get shot at.
Wake up people. . . please.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfGZ1MWRNxU
Donate, people, please, help him stay there and do his good work!
UR-RAH!
Throw the pig out.
As a veteran who served in Iraqi Freedom I thank you for doing your reporting and brings some light to these great stories.
..
The best war correspondent of our generation (personally, I think the best one in several). I heard someone waxing poetic about CNN's "great" correspondents from the first gulf war. Nothing personal, but they couldn't hold Michael's jockstrap.
Everything I learned about the Iraq war I learned from his reports. Everything else reported turned out to be crap.
Wars are what define nations and their relation to allies.
This conflict serves that purpose admirably. We are in this fight together and together
we need to win.
This is the only issue that I agree with your president about, defeating islamo-fascism
on their home turf.
Deas Gu Cath
If that had been a wounded insurgent you can bet your last dollar the Main Stream Media would have plastered it all over page one. You gotta remember which side they are on.
Wow, this is truly amazing. Well done troops, well done.
Jess
http://www.true-privacy.es.tc
Just plain "good stuff" on all accounts!!!!!
MSM will never touch it, of course!
Someday, somehow, the score will get evened up!
Geat work Yon!
Bob
I think he's lying about being a Marine.
AND WHAT AN AWESOME THING THAT IS THAT YOU DO!
=== popurls.com === popular today…
yeah! this story has entered the popular today section on popurls.com…
How to really support our troops! = http://tinyurl.com/yeb56pf
Christian? Please do not assume all Canadian or American soldiers are Christian…perhaps they are Islamic or Buddhist or Atheist.
I was a Canadian female soldier. I thank our continuous, exceptional training and professionalism, regardless of religion, 'party' and personal belief.
I appreciate your sentiments but please don't group the CF into one religious category. I didn't base my service one specific religious belief….so what about the rest of us…? Do you not support us?
[...] [...]
CANADA please read this. You have come to our aid on many, many occasions and get very little credit for what you have done. You have stepped forward when other countries shy away. You are a great neighbor even when having to deal with the bully to the south. Iraq, Afgan and Iran (and many more). This is one American who will ALWAYS respect you.
THANK YOU CANADA!!!!
O.K I can stop crying. What a comment on the brotherhood of the Anglophone world. It does my heart good,
DGL1962, you don't amount to what a marine leaves in the latrine…
Go home little Obama Boi
God Bless You, Danny
To all you brothers in arms in Canada, thanks for your blood and dedication to a North American idea called liberty and subpression of terroist who hid behind civilian skirts, no religion or moral belife, to those animals we will put you in the ground were you are bound, to the x marine, liar, there is no such thing, once a marine always a marine, you are coward, liar, and know nothing of war, your are a pussy with no heart or soul, just for your info bud, our guys also treat enemy wounded also and it is pretty darn hard to kill these gutless bastards as they stand next to women and kids who hold the ammo for them and it is pretty darn hard to hit just the guys with guns when they have no regard for human life something most Americans don't know, don't care, or just don't give a damn. tje
Thank you Canada. The Canadians have punched well above their weight in this conflict. They did not have to be asked or coaxed to help out they volunteered. THANK YOU CANADA!
Sincerely,
A grateful US Citizen.
After living in America for two years (I am a Canadian citizen) I have found American people to be the most generous people on the planet. When any type of disaster strikes anywhere on the planet they are the first to help. This powerful article and accompanying pictures were overwhelming. Thank you America for your incredible generosity and compassion and help for our wounded Canadian soldier.
Let's set the record straight here (again) for all the lib/dim/socialists out there as well as our misguided "ex-marine" (wtf is that?) DGL 1962. While GWB went into Iraq using bad information that ALL THE WORLD had and agreed, at the time was true, we didn't need any of it to do what we did. In hindsight, Bush should have said this "Sad damn Hussein started a war 10 years ago. He lost. He did not live up to his end of the bargain regarding the surrender terms. The UN, as usual, has been able to accomplish absolutely nothing with his blatant disregard for honoring his commitments. Therefore, we are going to finish the job my dad should have a decade ago. When we are finished, the people will be free to elect the type of leader they want/need, and we won't have to worry about him causing us or the rest of the world any more problems". That's all he would have had to say, and not a lib/dim/socialist could question one of those facts.
[...] original here: » From Canada: A Thank You to U.S. Service Members – Big Journalism Posted in Service | Tags: and-never, ending-support, for-our, for-the, gallant, has-, [...]
Doesn't make Obama look good with his base.
I too thank you Major Deborah “Lucy” Lehker and for all those in our armed forces, our unsung heroes. I also want to say thank you to the armed forces of Canada, and to your families. I am married to a Naval Officer, and have gone through many deployments, and growing up a military brat I watched my father pack his bags one too many times and I know our road is not easy. May God bless you and yours, and bring our loved ones home safely to our arms.
Great report. Good luck to Danny…speedy recovery. God Bless our Canadian allies. Michael Yon, you rock dude.
Michael,another incredible post about the incredible men and women who serve here. I was in Iraq in 03, 05,06,07 and now the Stan. I thnak you so much for telling the truth about who we are. I have recommended you many times, not least to Brit friends. It is bad enough in the States, but positively breaks my heart that our friends in the UK, Canada and other places never see the heroism of their soldiers.
DGL 1962, you are a punk and never served a day in your life. No soldier could read this post and respond with a sleazy, lying political diatribe like that except perhaps John Murtha.
onward christian soilder my ass. scientific evidence as proven beyond an any doubt, that explosives brought down the building on 9/11. If you think by supporting soldiers murdering, raping, stealing makes you feel better, I'll take islamic teaching anyday over what you call christianty. I was rised a christian.
As a former US Navyman, thanks to Danny (and his parents) for their service. Canada, you're a great neighbor!
The Canadians are good soldiers in a tough neighborhood. The medical personnel are the heroes they are giving back life on a daily basis. To our Canadian allies
an explaination for fakes like dgl1962. Usually when somebody fakes being a vet they say that they were a marine or an airborne ranger or navy seal these units account for 3% of the US military and are claimed 100% of the time by cowardly bastards who have never donned a uniform just to add to their credibilty.To dgl1962 I will clue you in real soldiers,sailors,marines,and airman care very little for politics or pussies like you we care about each other and our families. F#ck You and the horse you rode in on, and don’t ever question a brothers family again.
shut up troll.
Mike,____WWII war correspondent Ernie Pyle would be proud of you! Thanks for mentioning Valiant Canadians who serve! The Canadians have been by our sides for many conflicts. As you well know our Special Ops communities have a lot in common and work great together. The fine members of Joint Task Force 2 keep up the good work. Seems that the press is not too keen on that. I would imagine that part of the reason Afghanistan gets less attention is because of access and remoteness (no excuse). Reporters have to work a little harder to get there and to get fresh news they need to go out into dangerous areas. In my experience in Iraq much reporting was done from within the walls of the Green Zone or comfort & safety of their Chu or coffee shops at the FOBs. They rarely went out of the wire to get close access to the local populations and see the daily operational successes of the Soldiers and Marines.
Wow! You sound like the Obamabots here in Cleveland who keep blaming Bush for their troubles. You take others opinions and make them your own since you obviously cannot think for yourself. GROW UP! After 4 tours, I have yet to rape, murder or steal from ANYBODY! You obviously are a troll, congradulations, I've hit your trip wire. I will always support those who fight for and defend Freedom. Regardless of their Nationality. God Bless the USA and Canada for doing what is right.
D2F, I agree!!
This is a beautiful piece of journalism, thank you so much. God bless you Danny, I pray for your speedy recovery.
No Danny,Thank you.
What were you—a John Murtha Marine?
To the chorus of people who are thanking our troops and those who are helping I would like to add my voice.
Thank you, each and everyone of you for your time, honor, and your lives.
God Bless Our Troops.
http://gmcclead.blogspot.com/
Do not let the "left" betray our friendship. We have a son who is on his 3rd tour in Iraq. We will always know that we can count our friends in Canada.
May God Bless you and the Canadian people
claiming to be a former Marine does not confer upon you the right to get on this website and spew the American hating talking points of our political left. I bet a weeks pay (and as an armed contractor in Afghanistan that is a lot of money) you never served a day in uniform. Back to the crack pipe for you Mr. Troll you fucking coward.
And what is this half a million people killed nonsense? I should add retard to the fucking coward handle… retard go find some gullible lefties who may believe you rate the Eagle Globe and Anchor.
Come back to post when you voice changes, you grow some facial hair and/or when you actually earn a living!
What a beautiful letter. Thank you both for updating us on Danny’s progress please thank for his heroic service. I pray everyday for all our brave soldiers who risk their lives for freedom and for their family’s who have the strength to let them go. The picture of the young nurse comforting Danny brought me tears to my eyes. Michael Yon is one for the history books.
… ] link is being shared on Twitter right now. @zenx, an influential author, said RT @1ndus: Xtreme … ]
Yes.
The world awaits that answer…probably to its peril…
Best answer…Syria…
Hey, its "The Fonz"…!
Careful…Marines make their reputation by landing on things…
Thank you to the brave Canadians. Like during Viet Nam, they step forward.
Michael,
After reading your article, I emailed Maj Lehker to thank her. I think she might be an angel. I can't stop crying.
Thanks for the great coverage.
SMSgt Jeff Trabold, USAF, OHANG
Swanton, OH
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