CPL Kreycik receives Purple Heart Medal

 

 

 

by Laura Vroman

Deputy Joe Kreycik looked at the photo of his son and it was difficult to read his expression. One of immense pride no doubt. Sadness possibly? Or maybe it was hope for the future Jody would have once he leaves the Warrior Transition Brigade at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. 

“The good news is that his records finally caught up with him - 10 months later,” Joe said. “We got to go to the ceremony in D.C. and he was awarded the Purple Heart officially and he was officially awarded his Combat Infantry Badge or CIB.”

Jody, a member of the 101st Airborne was wounded in a mortar attack, Monday, August 21, 2006, at 8:30 p.m. Iraq time. Jody’s injuries included schrapnel wounds to the right side of his body where it blew out a bone below his elbow, a skull fracture and his right knee and hip had their fair share of schrapnel as well as suffering nerve damage. 

 

To say his injuries were extensive is an understatement. He had to have 10 surgeries to keep everything together while battling an infection. His elbow required a cadaver bone attached with several steel plates and screws. 

“His arm has made a very good recovery, which was his most serious injury. And the thing that’s been the hardest is his knee. It hasn’t recovered fully and that was despite the fact that the doctors predicted it would. But it has not, and he’s disappointed about that.”

Understandably. 

In addition, he was classified as having a traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of the skull fracture. “They’ve done more and more testing and some of the soldiers who had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD) have actually more attributed to the brain injury and have been classified as having a traumatic brain injury as a result of the schrapnel. So that’s the news on the medical front,” Joe explained. 

 

The Army flew Sharon and Joe with Hero Miles so they could attend the ceremony at Joel Auditorium this summer. There were 21 recipients of the Purple Heart medal presented by MG Antonio M. Taguba, retired Deputy Commanding General, Combined Forces Land Component Command. 

 

The Purple Heart differs from all other decorations in that an individual is not “recommended” for the decoration; rather, they are entitled to it upon meeting specific criteria according to wikipedia. In fact, the criteria was printed inside the Purple Heart Ceremony program along with a description of the medal. 

“The other thing that caught up to him - he was promoted to Specialist, which is SP4, but the term is Specialist. So it took almost a year for his records to catch up with him.”

Sound exciting? 

It is good news. But convalescing for 14 months can really take its toll. “He’s having a tough time because they’re not on a mission there. And as a soldier, he’s trained to live for the mission, not an objective - except his personal objective. And to be there with no real job, and doing follow-up appointments....he’s isolated and bored. 

“So are a lot of other soldiers. Walter Reed wasn’t designed to have soldiers there for a year, let alone 14 months. So, here we are, and he still wants to go back to his unit and would rather be in Iraq in November than Walter Reed. And he’s not going to make it due to his TBI.

“Jody can walk, his knee gives him problems climbing stairs  and running. He’s got mobility and can’t do the lower body strength training because his knee isn’t up to it yet. And his TBI is causing issues with migraines and associated baggage that goes with that. He doesn’t seem to have hearing loss, which some of them do,” Joe said. “ So a lot of his future is uncertain. The only thing that is certain is getting back in real life and get some educational benefits, GI benefits and benefits from the Purple Heart.”

Joe explained that Jody’s education is fairly well covered, and that he can attend college or trade school for a long time with a good share subsidized by the government with the Purple Heart and GI Bill combined. 

“He’s looking at different things he’d like to pursue. He would like to wind up back in the Sandhills. He has some interest in writing, and some other trades he’s interested in - more vocational aspects. He’s had a lot of time to think about it and looking forward to pursuing some studies and getting on with his life. It’s fair to say...a healing process is every bit as traumatic as Iraq.”

Even though Walter Reed has lost some of his mail, that which he does receive he does enjoy. “We’re touched by the support and those who ask about him when we’re out. And it’s awesome and we really appreciate it.”

Jody is in the Warrior Transition Brigade which is an out patient unit, but he is in uniform. His doctors will make the determination on where he’ll go - to an active duty unit or from Walter Reed to civilian life, with his enlistment up this spring. Should he not be completely healed, the Veteran’s Administration will take over. 

“His options are limited by his medical condition. There are a lot of lines of bureaucracy the soldiers come under and every one had four or five or six different medical and military and for anyone to make a move, all have to sign off...it can be unwieldy. He had injuries and that makes it more complicated. Some amputees have come and gone in less time. And he’s had at least three major injuries with this explosion and more fall out.”

As far as correspondence, Joe said, “I’m sure he’d appreciate whatever. The newness of being at Walter Reed has worn off, and his morale is fair game for encouragement.”

For those interested, send correspondence to: 

 

SP4 Kreycik, Jody V

5TH PLT BATTLE CO 

WARRIOR BRIGADE

ABRAMS HALL BLDG 14

ROOM 3055

WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER

6900 GEORGIA AVE NW

WASHINGTON, DC 20307

“We keep praying for him. A lot of healing that needs to be done, not all physical. This has been a big stress. You don’t begin to appreciate the Sandhills until you do without them. There’s sand in Iraq but it’s not the same. He has sand in his shoes and looks forward to that. He has a ranching background and he has that in mind. Jody has his own decisions to make and that will be there for him. He’s going to have some tremendous opportunities for education anywhere in the country, so he has some aspirations. He’d like to go to Alaska and go to school there for a while.”

So to all who love the Sandhills, remember our Veterans this Sunday, November 11, or attend a program Friday, November 9, at either the high school or middle school. Count your blessings, then pray for the safety and recovery of our soldiers.