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Marine Uses Special Prosthetic Leg to Scuba Dive
A 22-year-old Marine, who lost his leg after combat injury in Iraq, used a special prosthesis Monday to scuba dive in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Jeremy Stengel of Waterford, Wisc., is part of a group of 14 soldiers with war-related injuries participating in Warrior Dive through Tuesday. The event is organized by the International Association for Handicapped Divers in conjunction with a Key Largo dive shop and other area businesses.
Stengel said the water leg prosthesis is more waterproof than the one he uses on land and features an artificial foot that can be extended so a dive fin can be used as normal.
"This was my first day really diving, seeing all the sea life." said Stengel. "It was amazing."
Stengel lost his leg in February 2007 while on a sweep for improvised explosive devices. A 22-year-old Marine, who lost his leg after combat injury in Iraq, used a special prosthesis Monday to scuba dive in the Florida Keys... more -
Wounded vets also suffer financial woes
More than in past wars, many wounded troops are coming home alive from the Middle East. That's a triumph for military medicine. But they often return hobbled by prolonged physical and mental injuries from homemade bombs and the unremitting anxiety of fighting a hidden enemy along blurred battle lines. Treatment, recovery and retraining often can't be assured quickly or cheaply.These troops are just starting to seek help in large numbers, more than 185,000 so far. But the cost of their benefits is already testing resources set aside by government and threatening the future of these wounded veterans for decades to come, say economists and veterans' groups. More than in past wars, many wounded troops are coming home alive from the Middle East. That's a triumph for military medicine. B... more
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Inside Iraq: Daily Life
In 2005, Army Lt. John Prettyman documented in intimate detail what life is really like for his fellow soldier's in Iraq. In this installment, he gives us a candid look into what the daily life and living conditions are like for the average soldier. In 2005, Army Lt. John Prettyman documented in intimate detail what life is really like for his fellow soldier's in Iraq. In thi... more
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Iraq soldier
