Sorry for the laps in time following the last report. Our days are very rushed as we keep up with David and his progress. To make up I am sending a few photos this time.

David's progress is improving each day, most of what he is improving now is his mind and ability to take care of himself. David talks about getting out just like the rest of us.

The march of visitors that stops by to see him and the rest has not stopped. Craig Morgan (Singer) came by to show his support of our troops and say thank you. David was very impress with Craig. Following that Lt. General Austin from the 618^th Airborne Core came by to see his troops. As I am typing this member's of the Army Readiness Unit are here to give David and Bev a check for $200 to help get thing back to normal.

One photo is David visited by the co-pilot and crew of Air Force One. They gave him some items including the Air Force One coin. A token given out by military officers and units. Passing out coins or medal as it sometimes known is a big deal. The coins are traded and collected by many of the soldiers. I will include a photo of some of the medal David has been given over the last few weeks.

I have included a photo of David and Craig Morgan the western singer. As I said, David rely likes this singer, he has many of his songs on his iPod. The next day Ron White from the “Blue Collar Group” stopped by.

The best photo of the three is David standing on his new leg. So far, David can only stand in the bars and he keeps 30% of his weight on his hands. They think one of the pins in his left leg might be to close to a nerve. Therefore, during Wednesday's surgery they are planning on taking out one of the pins. The hope is that David can put all of his weight on his legs. Walking is his next step and  needs to be completed before we can return home.

Mart is very busy these days and has not had a chance to update on David's condition but from what I hear (I am his Aunt Lecia) He is coming along well, he is in therapy and they did a surgery on his other leg to see how extensive the damage was.  But in the meantime, there are three new pictures to see, one of David's room and the way it is fixed up, then one of a visit he had with General Temple and the last picture added was David visiting with General Cody.
   

Glenna and I would like to thank all of you that have kept David in your prayers for the past few weeks. This last weekend we have seen and heard from just a few of the many friends that David, his family, and Glenna and I have. Once again, thank you for supporting us during this time.

Now to our update on Sgt. Gardner. I'm using his formal Army name due to the number of visitors he has had over the last few days. When I get a chance, I will list as many of his visitors by name as possible, but for now let me summarize by quoting some of his visitors this weekend and say the Army or more so, the 82nd Airborne takes care of there own. David received a visit form Major General Temple he is one nice man. David was in PT at the time. PT is where David goes to workout, to put it in David's words “made to hurt.” Anyway the Major after finding David's room empty tracked him down for a visit. David was on a bed that rises up from lying to standing slowly. This does not sound hard, but after having your leg over hauled by a 6,000 pound bobcat, put back together by moving parts from place to place, it can be a little painful to stand up for the first time.

When the Major visited David he was able to get the table up to 30° the next day he pushed up to 55° and on Sunday David did not wait for his 12:00 visit, but went down hours earlier and stood up using only the handrails. I have some photos of David doing this that clearly show what he went through to pull this off in three days but I'm not going to send them out.

After this major step forward David was rewarded with his first off site pass. Yep, he got out of Walter Reed for the first time. We somehow managed to get him into his small van, not wheelchair equipped and down to a local mall. The photo for this report was hard to pick, but I am sending one of David shopping at the mall I think is tells the story best. 

It is hard to think that in just four weeks or so David has gone from living only by support of technology to shopping in a mall. What Walter Reed does for our your soldiers to repair the damage inflicted by war is unbelievable. I have to say, “Walter Reed makes public hospitals look like there from a third world county.”  I don't know if it is the impact put on hospitals by medical insurance or what but Walter Reed moves at light speed.

There was a article in the local news paper slamming Walter Reed for somethings, yes they maybe true, but what about the good things such a place does. I can tell you many stories of soldiers that Glenna and I met here and each one has a story just like David's. I am getting a little out of line, but I really have a strong support for what our soldiers are doing. Not if the war it is right or wrong but that it needs to be done, we must finish what has been started.

Until next time, I ask you to stop a soldier when you see one and thank them ... just say “Thank you for  serving” it is the least any American can do.

As much as I would like to say all day's are good it's not true. David has not see a major setback but today was not a big jump forward. Over all David is making improvements each day. As you can see in the attach photo, he is now in a wheelchair and able to move on his own. I told the doctors he like a kid with a new bike, on it all the time. David get started about 0100 hours and rolls around until 1500 hours when he goes back to sleep.

Well the real story is, David starts his day at 0800 hours with breakfast followed by the following hour long appointments, Operations Therapy (OT) at 1000 hours, lunch at 1200 hours, Physical Therapy at 1300 hours, Speech Therapy at 1400 hours followed by pin care and other such medical needs. It keep me running to get him ready and to the right place on time. Like I said David gets up about 0100 hours each day and roll around the place until Glenna and I get there. We then take turns helping him get from place to place.

There are a few things that only dad can help with, anyway he thinks so. Like using the men's room and moving from the wheelchair to the pot and back. I don't mind that is why the Army is paying our costs to be here and help him.

Today some of the doctors where talking about David and how fast he is moving along with thing. They asked Glenna and me if we might stay on for a little longer in order to get him walking. The Army is willing to cover our cost for two more weeks if the doctors think that will help David. I can't tell  you how much the Army is behind our soldiers when they get to Walter Reed and places like this.

One more thing, many of the people out here wear red on Friday to show support of our soldiers in IRAQ.     

Sorry for taking so long to write, but the doctors are getting us more involved in the aid of our son's recovery. We are working from 9:00 am to sometimes 10:00 pm seven days a week. It easy, it is a labor of love for our son and his young family. Yes, his young growing family. David and Bev had a baby girl on February 5 at 5:12 am. The newest Gardner started her first day out at 7lbs 14 oz 21 inches long. Now for you quick thinkers that 7+7+7 and the first time I have been able to remember such things.

Now for the update on Sgt David Gardner. He doing good, progressing quickly each day. Then what would you expect with 10 or more doctors working at the same time. David is now sitting on the side of his bed. He can get him self to that position on his own. Dad is a little worried each time he does it, that he might fall or damage something more. Yet, the team of doctors keep telling me he is doing good and give him the time to work it out.

All of the staples and stitches have now been removed form both legs. On David's right leg he had staples from the hip bone down round the end of the stump and up to the ... well as high as possible on the inside leg. On the left leg he has what looks like a patch work quilt of staples with some stitches here and there for good measure.

Some more good news came today. Over in Iraq they have setup a new check point and named it in honor of Sgt David Gardner named “Check Point Gardner.” David will be receiving a letter, photos and such showing the new Check Point Gardner. Next time you hear something has happened in Iraq at or around this check point you will know it was named after my son Sgt David Gardner.

There's more, Saturday the soldier that was in the bed next to David in CICU will be getting married. I can't tell you his name or anything about his wounds just the rules. None the less, he will be getting married on the 6^th floor in the staff brake room. I have been asked to take photos and David has been invited. It will be a small group do to room size but none the less it will be out standing. In the middle of so much pain as life's are slowly mended, a new union will start. I can 't wait. This is when the movies come to real life and i will be there to take part. 

There is more, but I'm running out of time for to night.

Attach are two photos, one of David and family taken two days ago and one of David and  Pennsylvania Senator Jane Clare Orie (R)   

PS. There is now a web site you can keep up with Sgt Gardner and our time with him, check out http://www.mosmo.net/ I would like to say thank you for this nice web site.

While looking around on the internet I came accross an artical about David. The original atrical is both copied below and found here. Please visit and give credit to the original poster please. I thought it was a nice picture of David.

Sad News for our Family

SGT David Gardner, son of Mart Gardner DCP 7, injured in Iraq

Monday, 15 January 2007, Mart and Glenna Gardner (IPFC 72) received word that their son serving with the United States Army had been seriously injured near Mosul, Iraq. SGT David Gardner with the 618th Light Equipment Company ("The Nasty"), 307th Engineer Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division was run over by heavy equipment while his unit was under enemy fire. His legs and feet were severely damaged. He was stabilized in Iraq and then evacuated to the Army Medical Hospital in Germany where they had to amputate part of his leg below the right knee. He will be stabilized in Germany and then med-evacted stateside to Walter Reed Hospital.

The Army is keeping in close contact with Mart and Glenna concerning David's medical progress, and upon his return to the United States, the Army will fly them to the hospital to be with David and wife Beverly, who is expecting their first child.

The hopes and prayers of all of Mart and Glenna's extended Coast Guard Family is with them. This is indeed a tragedy. David's life is changed forever and yet, Mart and Glenna, as are all of us, are very grateful that he is coming home. Five soldiers working in the same area were not so fortunate.

The sacrifice that David has made is just one example of our most precious resource, our children, who continue to serve in our Armed Forces. We are very proud of David and his fellow brothers and sisters in arms placing themselves in harms way to insure the security of our nation.

As members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, we wear a uniform that shows our pride and commitment to the service we provide for our nation and how we honor those who have gone before and for those who will not be coming home.

We will, with the concurrence of the Gardners, continue to update you on this true American Hero's long recovery. If, but for the Grace of God, go I.

David is progressing nicely, each day he gets stronger. To catch everyone up on whats happening. Yesterday Jeff Daniels, form the movie “Dumb & Dumber, costarring Jim Carrey” came by. The attached photo is of Glenna, David, and Jeff. David and Jeff ran over a few of the lines from the movie. It was nice to see David's mind working and able to recall lines from a 13 year old movie.

Like anyone else that's been laying in bed for days, David is coming down with a bad case of cabin fever. He's tossed all of his bedding off and complains to everyone about wanting to get up.

Today we made some major steps forward, as David fed him self and even opened a drink. He has a ways to go, when holding something in his hand for a time he gets the shakes. The doctors tell us it due to swelling in the spine. I can say, the shaking is getting better each day.

To day everyone is talking about the Super Bowel like I had to tell you that. Well to make sure none of our soldiers miss out on the fun. The Super Bowl people with help from the USO gave each soldier at Walter Reed a Super Bowell XLI (41) game cap and game program book.

I'm jumping around a little but I am rushing to get this out before Glenna and I head back over to see him.

Until next time we are doing nice out here.

Thursday was a bit of a set back for us. Wednesday night they moved David into his own room, but when we arrived Thursday morning we found an empty room. David would not respond to the doctors after we left, leaving the doctors no choose but to send him back to MICU. The good news, within minutes after we arrived on seen they seen David open up. Therefore, with us there he was returned to the private room.

The day went on with the usual parade of doctors. I have never seen such a place. A doctor comes in to Davids room just about the time the last one leaves. They started fitting him for a new leg today. One doctor after giving David a pair of wheelchair gloves said, he will be sitting with us in the common room watching the super bowel this weekend.

The day was ending when I seen a MP standing at both ends of the hallway. I ask the closest one what was happening. He said NSYNCs Justin Timberlake is on the floor visiting the soldiers. Not long after that the USO rep came in and asked us if David would like to meet Justin Timberlake. I got a number of photos one is attached.

David is just starting to talk, the doctors said he has a lot of swelling in the spine and with the lost of blood and it taking 30 to 35 minutes for the medivac to get to him, the brain didn't get the oxygen needed to function.  This is giving him some problems with his motor skills. As the swelling goes down he will improve. David is now talking a little, but it is very soft and hard to hear.

Until next time keep smiling

David just keeps getting better and better.  He has been upgraded one level from Ward 46 (SICU) one-on-one nursing to Ward 45 (MICU) one nurse to five. David has been removed from the ventilator and most of the electronic life support devices have been removed as well.

Last night as we were leaving, David wiggled his eyebrows up and down. This is something he has done for years. It is the first personality type response we seen.  He has yet to start talking to anyone. We hope it will be soon. It is hard to sit by and not be able to talk to him.  There is a young man in the next room that was shot in the head, below the ear. He can’t talk and yet he writes notes to everyone. This young man wants to help every soldier here deal with their loss.

Today David raised his arms up a number of times. Often giving us the thumbs up or just holding our hands. Then a few minutes later, he acts like we not there, sometimes staring at us like he has never seen us before.

The doctors told us that as David comes out he is totally lost. Often the soldiers will think there still in Iraq. We talked to others that said their soldier would start looking for his/her gun. One mother said her son was sure the doctors were trying to kill him. Glenna and I can now see why we are here. They need the family to help the soldiers deal with getting back to normal life, putting the war behind them.

If only I had the ability to tell you what Glenna and I have seen at Walter Reed. The young men and women who have given more than anyone can ask to defend us. Yet, after it is all over and their lying in bed with body parts missing or major wounds, to graphic to even talk about not one of them says  anything less than we need to be there and must win this war.

Once again I’m including a photo of David so you can see how much he has improved.

Until next time, pray for all of them.

Sgt David Gardner was injured in Iraq in January.  This is a journal of his recovery by his mother and father who are at Walter Reed Army Hospital during his recovery there.

Picture of David in hospital

DAY 1

Glenna and I arrived at Walter Reed late last night. At the airport, no ride came to pick us up. After an hour or so and a number of calls to the Army we got permission to take a taxi to Walter Reed. Upon arriving, we checked in. Because all of the rooms at the hospital are full, they assigned us to a Hilton a mile away.

Now it was time to go see David for the first time. We made our way up to see David. As we walked down the many long halls, the anxiety got more intense with each step.  Stopping just outside of the door we both felt like we were going to pass out cold.

The door open and we move into the ICU. David is three doors down just about 20 feet away now. I can’t tell you how hard it was to make that little walk. Glenna said, “It’s like walking the green mile.” To me it was like walking under water.

There lying on a bed is our David.  He is sleeping now but very much alive. I am not going to go into detail about his physical condition.  Glenna and I only stayed a short time it was late.

Today (Jan 26) we returned to David’s bedside. The doctors told us that last night all drugs keeping him in a comma were removed. Now it is up to David when he wants to come out. The doctors tried last night and again first thing to get some response with no sign from him.

When we got there, Glenna ask David to move his arm, just then we seen a little movement. I then asked him again to move his arm. He moved it even more, this time so much the nurse seen it. He, the nurse called for the doctor. Again I asked David to move his arm, this time David razed his arm up three to four inches off the bed. The doctor asked us to have him give the thumbs-up sign. David raised his arm and turned his hand just a little.

The doctors said, the pain killing drugs would make him very drudge.  For today, we left with a good feeling that for the first time he is going to be OK.

I know we are going to have good days and bad, but for now, today is a good day for all.

DAY 2

Update on Stg. David Gardner. Yesterday David underwent five (5) more hours of surgery on his legs. The doctors clean up his stump by cutting off a little more. The work on his stump is now complete and it can start healing. The doctors are working on his left leg now. He lost a lot of skin and such and will need some patchwork. That is deep enough on this for now.

Glenna and I had a bad day yesterday as we did not see him for the whole day. However, today we spent all day going in and out of his room. They cut the drugs in half and will continue to do so each day until he is out to the comma completely. The doctors told us by the middle of next week we will be talking to him possibly in his own room. This made today a real joy and gave me the will to write.

Included is a photo of David in his room. The photo is of David lying in a hospital bed with more electronics hooked up than a home TV system.

We had a nice thing happen today. The story we got was a sniper killed the solider that help David just after helping. Well today, we met his wife. Here is the good news, he alive. Yes, He was hit in the back and it did some major damage. The Army did not think we would make it. They flew his wife to Germany to at his side. That is when the story gets really good. When she got to his side, he did a 180 degree turn and start making major improvements.  Then sent him to Walter Reed where he gotten better each day.  Again, I would go into a lot about his condition it is to graphic. The story ends when we are sitting in the waiting room and his wife is there. We started talking about the soldiers and the two stories sound too close to each other. The happy ending, he very much alive.

That is our report up to day. More to come as thing improve.