Photo Essay: Returning from Iraq, the Damage Done

Luis Calderon
AGE 22; MIAMI, FLORIDA
Tank operator in the Army's 4th Infantry Division. Injured May 5, 2003, while destroying a mural of Saddam Hussein in Tikrit.

The wall just crashed on me. Crushed my head, broke my neck. I felt separated, like in relaxing mode, but really I was still driving the tank. I couldn't feel my hands on the wheel. I felt nothing. My sergeant was telling me to stop on the radio, but I couldn't speak loud because my voice just went away, I was whispering, a very slight whisper. Another tank got the wall from ahead and took it out, and we waited until the medics came.

They took me to the support camp, and that's where the doctors determined I had a broken neck and a spine injury. My spinal cord is C3-C4—quadriplegic. From my neckline down I cannot feel anything.

I'm just happy I took the wall down. I did my job. If I had the chance to, I would go back now.

I wanted to be a diesel mechanic. I was going to make a career in the Army, do my 20 years. I got an Army Commendation Medal—not a Purple Heart. I'm disappointed. It would make me more confident that I really did something. There's another story I can tell in the future to my kids.

I still think I'm active. I'm 22 years old. You don't see a lot of veterans at 22 years old. I would like to talk to soldiers. Do volunteer work. Just talk to soldiers. But for the moment, right now, I just want to heal.

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I apprecite your service to our glorisous nation. I hope you see the kind hearted side of uncle sam and keep your job as infantry. it is the job I chose when I enlisted. I sm still waiting to go to MEPS. "question your faith in God"

Posted by:Corey ZubikJanuary 5, 2008 9:50:16 PMRespond ^

This is very true. It's HARDER on everyone to have to swallow the fact that there ARE many who are wounded and killed for our country. I support our troops.

Posted by:CristinaJanuary 16, 2008 7:25:11 AMRespond ^

george bush sucks. the smartest president didn't know enough to keep his pants zipped but the dumbest thinks he can run a war. HA!

Posted by:dreamerJanuary 21, 2008 6:00:43 AMRespond ^

Wow they really need to end this war look what is happing to people.

Posted by:SharaJanuary 26, 2008 4:47:34 PMRespond ^

soldiers take a very high risk going to war

Posted by:beckJanuary 30, 2008 4:45:20 PMRespond ^

this war really needs to stop these soldiers had enogh, they need to come home to the ones they love:)

Posted by:becky123675January 30, 2008 4:47:46 PMRespond ^

POTA

Posted by:rayFebruary 2, 2008 12:06:37 AMRespond ^

I am not an American anyway, but, I must confess that I love the courage of the young soldier, I'll keep praying for you. and for your success, and also for the war to end. There more in this life than just war, things like Love, and now am saying "Reject Warefare and Embrace Walfare". Joseph Satmak from Nigeria.

Posted by:Joseph SatmakFebruary 15, 2008 1:12:25 PMRespond ^

wow that is crazy, your brave. i would be scared or crying or something!

Posted by:cj ?February 21, 2008 9:42:40 AMRespond ^

dats sad man look at him stupid bloody wars

Posted by:???February 23, 2008 12:55:42 PMRespond ^

EVERYTHING for nothing..........mass-destruction never existed! saddam hussein-9/11????bull[deleted]---democracy??look at the iraq now...you`ve lost everything for nothing...only because of your stupid [deleted] president who acted like a coward during vietnam...who never knew what it means to fight in a war..only glorious patriotism...always the same old lie

Posted by:bull[deleted]February 26, 2008 5:33:23 AMRespond ^

I am honored that you are one of the soldiers.

Posted by:Jared OrtizMarch 1, 2008 4:27:07 PMRespond ^

You blew things up. Your heart was in the right place over there...It's a shame your heart didn't stay there rotting in the bloodstained oil.

Posted by:Bob IgnorantMarch 2, 2008 6:18:04 PMRespond ^

I just can´t understand how someone would like to go back to the army and fight for a government who has just been lying to us all from the very beginning. It´s just incredible how Mr. Bush, Blair and Aznar (our President then) made us believe that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. We have been involved in a war that doesn´t make sense. There´s innocent people from Iraq and american soldiers dying every day and no one gives a damn about it. And all for what? Petrol for Mr. Bush and American companies. We should wake up and see the real truth.

Posted by:RaquelMarch 8, 2008 6:33:10 PMRespond ^

I FELT THE SAME WAY ABOUT VIETNAM THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY

Posted by:KENNETH WEAKLEYMarch 9, 2008 1:46:40 PMRespond ^

i dont support the bush. But seeing this braught tears to my eyes. I do support the troops.

Posted by:elenaMarch 11, 2008 1:03:57 PMRespond ^

I DONT SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!OBAMA '08!!!!

Posted by:vickyMarch 12, 2008 9:23:27 AMRespond ^

I FELT THE SAME WAY ABOUT VIETNAM THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COUNTRY
@Kenneth
YEAH!!!WHAT A SERVICE FOR OUR GREAT NATION
ESPECIALLY FOR OUR GREAT PRESIDENT WHO NEVER FOUGHT IN A WAR..HE LIED HE LIED THE WHOLE TIME...WHAT A DIRTY WAR..AND SAM PAYED THE BILL WITH HIS LEG...21..YEARS OLD AND A CRIPPLE NOW.. BILLIONs OF DOLLAR DEAD SOLDIERS AND FOR WHAT??THE WHOLE WORLD IS AGAINST US...

Posted by:BENMarch 14, 2008 6:21:10 AMRespond ^

its so shamefull what the IraQies do to those who try to free our country and, even though i am a local national born and raised in iraq, it breaks my heart to see some one capable of harming at other human

Posted by:SarahMarch 16, 2008 4:23:24 AMRespond ^

v.Brave x

Posted by:Chloe && LiviMarch 17, 2008 5:51:36 AMRespond ^

v.Brave x

Posted by:Chloe && LiviMarch 17, 2008 5:52:24 AMRespond ^

sad story

Posted by:tristanMarch 17, 2008 12:59:21 PMRespond ^

People saying this man is an idiot are the real fools. He is the one defending your right to talk [deleted] behind his back, so show some God-damn respect. He lost his leg and still wants to fight, he thought he was gonna die but still shot his gun, he has to put up with his fellow countrymen everyday telling him what an idiot he is yet he doesn't care. I am honored to live under the protection of a man like him.

Posted by:SeanMarch 17, 2008 2:56:18 PMRespond ^

Your sacrifice is immeasurable. God bless you and may your spirit be not broken.

Posted by:AndreaMarch 20, 2008 2:06:07 PMRespond ^

[deleted] the leg baby ill [deleted] him his cute halla baby

Posted by:jenny dominikMarch 22, 2008 2:10:31 AMRespond ^

i love you

Posted by:rongchoithongayMarch 23, 2008 10:01:39 AMRespond ^

my brother is in the army and just got back from serving in iraq. i plan to one day join and also be infantry. your an inspiration

Posted by:kyle rMarch 28, 2008 10:52:13 AMRespond ^

I think you a very brave guy and good looking to. I think you should lay low on the military thought because when I saw your leg i felt really bad. I'm into snowboarding a lot too, and it must suck to not be able to go.

Posted by:SaraMarch 30, 2008 10:53:52 AMRespond ^

he fought for us???when??and against who??
for our rights? did saddam hussein flew the air plane 9/11?did he had something to do with al quaida?mass destruction...??Misssion Accomplished? he says it was his best experience in his life...now he is sitting all alone in dunbar...disabled, lost his eyesight,
...can t do anything except sleeping..what a life and for what?

Posted by:chicagoMarch 31, 2008 10:46:23 AMRespond ^

i am the wife of an ex british army soldier and i stand proud by all our troops and all the troops around the world you are all doing an excellent job and we should all support and be proud of you all god bless you all.

Posted by:kimApril 4, 2008 4:49:05 AMRespond ^

I was your anesthetist when you came into the 28th CSH, glad to see you doing well!

CPT(P) Michael Bentley, CRNA

Posted by:Michael BentleyApril 8, 2008 8:42:13 PMRespond ^

thank you. people in this world today are so bitter...so ready to call someone else out for doing something right. this man is amazing. he does what he believes is right no matter how much you stupid people criticize him. i can't even imagine what it's like for him to come home after all that he's done and sacrificed for his country and to be met with such cruelty and degradation.

Posted by:losing faith in humanityApril 14, 2008 10:47:19 AMRespond ^

hey dude, thank you for all you are doing, I leave in june for my basic.

Posted by:justinApril 14, 2008 2:32:20 PMRespond ^

i agree with you,but also i don't know how the military would accept me though i am on the very high functioning end of the autism scale, p.s. its been my dream since the beggining to save lives from the storms,and be an army national guardsman. i salute you with the honor you deserve ,that of a general

Posted by:michaelApril 15, 2008 6:55:15 AMRespond ^

Its amazing how people like vicky don't support our troops but she wants freedom and liberty and all the good stuff that United States give us thanks to us the troops. I really bet that she wont be the one going to MEPS to enlist for her country Why? Because people want freedom but they want other people to fight for it. I vicky could be there for at least one day, I know you would not survive even 1 hour. God bless our troops and tristan.

Posted by:joeApril 15, 2008 8:59:15 PMRespond ^

sorry for what happen to you and thank you for being strog

Posted by:DaQueelaEvansApril 18, 2008 6:45:55 AMRespond ^

iam journalist in mogadisho iam all so to bring this program about mother jones

Posted by:m ohamed kafiApril 18, 2008 9:43:44 PMRespond ^

"I got to interact with people of another culture, people who live their lives 100 percent different than the way we live here"........and for this new awareness it was necessary for you to go to war..:))))..GREAT!?!

Posted by:zizuApril 19, 2008 5:26:22 AMRespond ^

hey bud hope u get to snowboard again u are doing a great job i don't support bush but i do support the troops 100% u guys do a a great job wish u all the best keep safe as for some people on hear saying they don't support the troops well i hope your the 1st people to get a bullet to the head as if a war ever comes to our shores u will be the 1st to pray and hoping for brave young solider like this to save u just so u can keep leaving or pathetic lives u live and as for Bob Ignorant and the bloodstained oil remark i hope don't use any thing that needs oil to be run u scum eating mag et any way i hope all our troops stay safe and make it back to there loved ones take care boys your doing a great job im honored to support our troops THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

Posted by:jamesApril 20, 2008 11:52:42 PMRespond ^

that must hurt!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by:alyssa wildenApril 23, 2008 11:13:27 AMRespond ^

im doing an essay on heroes. i wanted to ask if u consider yourself a hero and if you do why? another question would be "what does a person have to do or be in order to be a hero"?

Posted by:lyzetty barredaMay 2, 2008 9:47:47 AMRespond ^

You are one of many who make the rest of world's people safe to go about their everyday lives. We, the ignorant can never repay you for the loss of your leg or the nightmares you will suffer the rest of your life. Please accept my humble thanks with deep gratitude. I'm a safe citizen who can go to work, play with family, or take a plane trip in relative safety because of men and women just like you. HOOOAH!

Posted by:AJMay 2, 2008 12:08:11 PMRespond ^

This is to Bob Ignorant and vicky, I cant believe you had the nerve to say that. I'm a soldier myself and its a shame you cant support the troops and our country. I hate how some people are. But anyway, I leave for basic really soon. Fort Jackson. I was wondering if you could give me any advice.

Posted by:BrownMay 5, 2008 6:42:42 PMRespond ^

i dont support our troops..not in this war...sorry lads but this guy (sam ross) lost his eyesight and his leg for freedom in the us??? muhahahahahahahahhahaha

Posted by:dudeMay 7, 2008 1:41:23 PMRespond ^

Thank you for doing your job and then sucking it up and wanting to go back. Soldiers have the hardest job, yet don't complain. Civvies get it wrong, they don't want to fight, they don't want war, they just want to look after everyone else. Their going to get hurt, their going to die, their going to loose friends. Don't feel sorry for them, feel respect and be proud of them, at the end of the day their in it for us.

Posted by:Gwenan PritchardMay 13, 2008 7:59:53 AMRespond ^

You are a compleet idiot, you don't respect someone who's willing to die for you? You don't deserve your own life, I'm sorry you should just grow up and face the harsh reality of the job their doing. Fair enough if you don't like/agree with it, I'm guessing the soldiers don't agree with the war either, but didn't you ever get taught 'if you haven't got anything nice to say don't say anything at all', it's basic respect, not just to soldiers but to any human.

Posted by:Gwenan PritchardMay 13, 2008 8:02:36 AMRespond ^

I really respect and apprecite your sacrifice for us to have a better life.

Posted by:maddieMay 13, 2008 11:58:02 AMRespond ^

They know the risks and know what they are fighting for. We also need to follow up and take better care of the ones who come home hurt. Their lives are changed forever. Thank you for fighting for our country. I SUPPORT THE WAR AND OUR TROOPS.

Posted by:BeccaMay 14, 2008 3:30:33 PMRespond ^

i have a family in the milatary my mom i hate groege bush

Posted by:brandy mullinsMay 20, 2008 7:14:47 AMRespond ^

You are a hero to many people!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by:Billy JoeMay 20, 2008 8:06:18 AMRespond ^

Thank you so much for risking your life and giving up you leg for America!

Posted by:AlexMay 20, 2008 1:55:42 PMRespond ^

all these guys lost their leg or their eyesight for freedom in the US???and they don`t regret....Lets see what they say in 10 or 20 years! No Woman wants a cripple or someone without eyesight

Posted by:dudeMay 21, 2008 5:23:35 AMRespond ^

that is [deleted]et up!!!!!

Posted by:odniel padilloMay 21, 2008 9:06:57 AMRespond ^

CANT YOU ALL AMERICANS,STORM THE WHITEHOUSE AND BURN IT DOWN?

Posted by:willyMay 23, 2008 3:13:05 PMRespond ^

That kind of stuff is scary. I feel really bad for you.

Posted by:your palMay 28, 2008 4:07:17 PMRespond ^

you're well served,
those people back in iraq don't want you!

Posted by:if you liked your jobMay 29, 2008 1:32:03 AMRespond ^

oh come on! you can't do politics you're too stupid! oh! I forgot, your president is worse ahah

Posted by:come onMay 29, 2008 1:35:12 AMRespond ^

TODAY`S HEADLINE NEW YORK TIMES:

"Scott McClellan continued to assert that the White House manipulated intelligence to justify the Iraq war."

You ve lost your leg, eyesight and everything for this goverment

Posted by:dudeMay 29, 2008 7:17:21 AMRespond ^

you are hero!

Posted by:maćiJune 24, 2008 1:49:02 PMRespond ^

i felt sad about this...I, though I'm just a student , but my heart belongs to Army. I pray that he will be treated the best because he did much on his duty as a soldier.

Posted by:melskyJune 24, 2008 6:33:33 PMRespond ^

I'm just another dumb soldier. However, it seems to me that some of these comments stem from plain ignorance. If it wasn't for us dumb soldiers volunteering for service, some of you anti-war, bad mouthing, S.O.B's would be there right now. So show some respect and gratitude for the soldiers that put it on line so you crying ass people don't have to.

Posted by:Does It MatterJune 25, 2008 2:08:59 AMRespond ^

"Does it Matter" While i appreciate the sacrifice you made on a personal level - a sacrifice many men and women in my family have made. I personally disagree with the statement, we'd have ot serve. We maintian a voluntary military for one fine reason, in this democracy it is the perrogative of the people to defend themselves by the means that they choose

Posted by:RaynaldJune 27, 2008 8:48:29 AMRespond ^

Further, dissent and voicing that dissent is integral to the fabric of a healthy democracy. Yes, the vernacular of the common american has becmoe increasingly cruder over the recent generations, which subsequently is the reason we have consented to an illegal war with out resistance. That is a pitiful show of strength of our democracy. Volunteer service is mainly a stipulation on the founding of this country, that served the purpose of maintaining a "citizen warrior" through militia-men. This is important to know, that through strength of arms the health of a democracy is realized. Politicians who fear the wrath of the people will always legislate on their behlf. But in the last 40 years we have seen a wholesale disarmament of the general polity and criminalized those who did not learn to shoot from the military. This is bunk, which is why there are so many poor men and women who fight. Becuase the poor education has given them historical myopia, and distanced them from a government and more over, a class that gives less than a fart about their fortunes. Which is what this essay is saying. it is criminal that poor men and women of the military do not have veterans' health because the wealthy americans who sent them off to be maimed and murder BROWN civilians are playing stewart of these poor people. TO HELL WITH THE DISENGAGED WEALTHY.

Posted by:RaynaldJune 27, 2008 8:55:38 AMRespond ^

He was my first love! Believe it or not
I always tried to talk him outta going into the military and being an officer. i guess when we parted, his destiny was to go!

Posted by:ShaleeaJune 29, 2008 1:05:22 PMRespond ^

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