5-30-09 Oconee Memorial Service 2009 – Lt Josh Darnell

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5-30-09 Oconee Memorial Service 2009 – Lt Josh Darnell - a fine young man

……However, this one was special: Josh Darnell was featured and longtime VFW Member Pete Shelnutt sent a “special invitation” – both are special friends. AVOC . May 30, 2009 . Oconee Memorial Service 2009 – Lt Josh Darnell - a fine young man . By Wendell Dawson, Editor, AVOC, Inc . Betty and I attended the Oconee Memorial Service on Monday, May 25, at Oconee Veterans Park.I do not attend many local public events since leaving public office. However, this one was special:Josh Darnell was featured and longtime VFW Member Pete Shelnutt sent a “special invitation” – both are special friends. . Josh Darnell after speech at Oconee Veterans Memorial Service on May 25, 2009 An impressed greeter was heard to ask Josh, “Have you thought about running for Congress?” . Pete Shelnutt is one of the most senior surviving veteran.Pete represented the local VFW in laying a Wreath at the Oconee Veterans Memorial. Pete attended and participated in a number of veterans services we had in the 90’s. Pete and his family have been lifetime friends and active members of Union Christian Church, the church of my childhood and youth. Union holds a special place. Many friends and relatives still attend many longtime friends and relatives are buried in the Union Church Cemetery. . Veterans recognized at Oconee County Courthouse July 4, 1993 Veterans Memorial Day at Union Church in 1994 . Pete Shelnutt laying the local VFW wreath on May 25, 2009 . The Joshua Reeves Family laid a wreath on May 25, 2009 . Many Oconee Citizens paused for the Joshua Reeves Funeral Procession on September 29, 2007 . The popular attraction was the fact that injured soldier, Josh Darnell, was going to speak. Josh is a 2000 Graduate of Oconee County High School and a 2004 graduate of the University Of Georgia School Of Journalism.For his speech, See The Oconee Leader - Oconee Memorial Service May 25, 2009Video . Josh attends the Watkinsville First United Methodist Church with his wife Melissa and parents, Larry and Sandra Darnell. I attend WFUMC and have gotten to know the Darnells well. Josh and Melissa were married at WFUMC on April 21, 2007. The Darnells are fine people—Larry and Sandra have held many service positions in the church and Larry is an active member of the Oconee Lions Club and a veteran himself. Josh was active in youth activities, the music program and choir.He has frequently played instruments and sang solos.He is a talented musician.He has also written articles in UGA publications. . Josh’s story has been told in many ways: emails, newspapers, military publications, national TV, etc. A sampling appears below. . . Josh Darnell at Eisenhower AMC on January 17, 2008 . Josh Darnell patrolling in Afghanistan in September 2008 MSNBC . Attack on U.S. patrol in Afghanistan kills 5 . 2 soldiers among the dead in suicide-bomb explosion . A suicide bomber struck U.S. troops patrolling on foot in southern Afghanistan on Thursday, killing at least two soldiers and three civilians. . http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28562974/from/ET/ . MSNBC Interview in March 2009 for TV Program on Military Rehab http://msnbc-1005096.newsvine.com/_video/2009/03/23/2587696-iraq-vet-on-how-rehab-has-made-the-difference?threadId=535889&commentId=6112937 JOSH PARENTS MESSAGES . JAN 8, 2009 . ……He came out of surgery about 2:00 our time in Kandahar City this afternoon. He and another injured man had been airlifted there. He called us - very groggy and weak sounding, but lucid and able to hear us. His right arm is a “mess” and his leg and pelvis took shrapnel - may be singe from the heat of the bomb. It was from a suicide bomb attack while they were on patrol. Two men were killed and ten had minor injuries, we gather from the info Melissa got. . The prayers are what are important now. We don’t know if they will bring him back to the U.S. right away or to Landstuhl, Germany, for further surgery and stabilization. Whatever, it will be a long road back, but we are actually feeling very grateful at this point. . JAN 9, 2009 . Dear friends, Josh is alive and a few of you already know the extent of his injuries. Melissa and we hope to hear today the details of his evacuation from Afghanistan and to which hospital in the states, perhaps via Landstuhl, Germany. This story is accurate given what we know and the best thing that happened is that we got to speak with Josh when he came out of surgery. The main injuries are his right arm, shrapnel in his leg and pelvis. . We deeply appreciate your prayers as does he. This was not a random bombing; they were targeted. … MELISSA UPDATE ON FEB 23, 2009 . Good morning friends! I wanted to send an update on our situation here at the VA. Friday turned out to be a very special day; Josh's attending surgeons recommended Josh GO HOME for 14 days. We are in a waiting pattern to see if any infection appears and to allow the nerves in his hand, wrist, and arm to regrow. The doctors think (and so do we) that Watkinsville will be a great place to do this. Josh will have to continue therapy at home daily and I get to dress his wounds, but home sounds like heaven right now. Josh was deployed for 8 months before being hospitalized for about 7 weeks, so needless to say he is more than excited to get there. We will have to travel back to Augusta a few times to get checked out. . We hope to leave either today or tomorrow; time off in the army mean lots of paperwork and signatures. . Once again, we thank you all so much for all that you have done for us. . Message from WTD to Friends on March 24, 2009 . Josh Darnell is an Army Officer who was injured in Afghanistan in early January. He is a member of Watkinsville FUMC and sang in the choir and often sang or played solos. He was in the Ritz & Glitz at OCHS. He graduated from UGA and went to Officer Candidate School a couple of years ago and received a Commission. (I wrote a reference for him). His parents are Larry and Sandra Darnell who are great people. Josh is an outstanding young man. . Josh is at the Norwood Rehab Center in Augusta. We have been following the progress of Josh since his injury in January. He is a special person. He was able to attend church a couple of weeks ago with his wife, Melissa. It was great to see them. . NBC news had a special on injured veterans last night. Josh was seen in the piece but not talking. The host, Col Jacobs, interviewed him at length and it appears in this video: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/vp/29842469#29842469 . Josh has made amazing progress. His right elbow will be fused resulting in limited mobility. However, he survived! Two in his unit were killed in the IED explosion. Many prayers have gone out for Josh and his family…… The Fort Gordon Signal http://www.fortgordonsignal.com/news/2009/0410/news_update/045.html . April 10, 2009 . Wounded Warrior finds exceptional medical care . Charmain Z. Brackett Correspondent . ……………… Since the blast did not sever the arm, doctors were able to save it even though the damage is severe. Eventually, they may fuse the two bones together which would leave his arm in a permanently fixed position. For now, his arm is in a brace as therapists work twice a day with him to give him greater use of his hands and fingers. . Six weeks ago, Darnell was unable to wiggle his fingers. . "I can make a fist, and I can pick up light objects," he said. . So far, Darnell has had more than a dozen surgical procedures and expects at least two more. . As for his days once he is released, Darnell said he's unsure. He suspects the injury could mean his Army days will come to an end. ………………………… WWW.ARMY.MIL . May 22, 2009 . Wounded service member care draws attention . By Charmain Brackett . AUGUSTA, Ga.--(May 22, 2009) (Left) 1st Lt. Joshua Darnell, relates the details of his injury and treatment to Deanie Dempsey, wife of Gen. Martin Dempsey, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, on May 18 at the Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Augusta. Darnell was injured in Iraq. Brig. Gen. Donald Bradshaw commanding general of the Southeast Regional Medical Command and Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center is standing on the right. ……. Stars & Stripes http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59857 . January 8, 2009 . Securing Maiwand . HUTAL, Afghanistan . With little knowledge of language or culture, U.S. troops in Afghanistan are trying to lay the groundwork for future operations …………………… "This is the first permanent American presence that’s been here in a long time," said 1st Lt. Joshua Darnell, 26, of Watkinsville, Ga., the leader of 1st Platoon. "So, we’re trying to understand the demographics here and lay the groundwork for future U.S. operations, with the understanding that U.S. forces will be operating in southern Afghanistan for a long time."…….. WNEG TV . Monday, 25 May 2009 . Memorial Day Ceremony . WATKINSVILLE - "Memorial Day will always have a stronger meaning for me obviously for the rest of our life," says First Lt. Joshua Darnell of Oconee County. Darnell was injured in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber, having his entire arm shattered by the blast……………….