Yesterday we got an email:

"I was informed today (Tuesday) that Mathew K. was injured in Afghanistan by in Improvised Explosive Device (IED). At this point details are not known except that it is quite serious. Please keep this family in your prayers. I will update you as information becomes available. Mathew was a distinguished student. He and his twin Mark attended as well as his brother Paul. Paul is to be married in Blackfoot this Saturday."

This was on my local news feed this morning:

Home News Local

Pocatello man loses legs in IED blast in Afghanistan

Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2012 10:44 am

"A 20-year-old Pocatello man serving in the U.S. Army has lost both of his legs in an improvised explosive device blast while on foot patrol in Afghanistan.

Matthew K., also suffered a fractured pelvis, fractured left arm, internal injuries and lost a couple fingers in the Sunday incident, according to family members in Pocatello.

It's believed three other U.S. Army soldiers also suffered injuries from the IED blast.

He is currently receiving treatment at a U.S. military hospital in Afghanistan, his family said. Once he is stabilized it's expected he will be airlifted to a hospital in the U.S. or Germany.

K's father Dennis said the family was notified by the U.S. Army about Matthew's injuries on Monday.

"We're getting war zone information that maybe we can't depend on as much but at least (the military's) communicating with us and that's been a help," Dennis said.

Matthew has an identical twin brother Mark who's also in the U.S. Army. Mark recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq and Kuwait and is currently at Fort Hood, Texas."

Matt and Mark graduated from grade/middle school with my son - they were in the same class. They were in my son's Boy Scout Troop until just a couple years ago. His dad was one of my son's scoutmasters and his mom was a regular sub at our school. These things always hit close to home, but our town is very small, our school family/community is VERY close-knit and I've known Matt since he and Mark were 8 or 9 years old. He and Mark were in the Army together and should be just over a year out of boot camp. Both boys were top notch students and could have done anything they wanted in college - but they both chose the Army. They and their family have always been very patriotic and strong supporters of the military, so that didn't really surprise anyone. PLEASE send up prayers for Matt and for his family... he's only a year older than my boy...

Thanks

+1 Gene.....beyond me WHY they're STILL there. Heartbreaking story Queenie

Prayers sent for the family and community

Prayers sent.... 🙏 🙏

Well said. Prayers sent for Mathew and his family and for all of our brave members of the armed forces in the US and throughout the world. Freedom certainly isn't free.

[-o<

Ron

Prayer sent,,

TMCTLT - can't bring them home now - they're needed as critical election-year leverage. They either need to be in harm's way so some candidate can "rescue" them and win votes, or they need to be in the area and available to move into Saudi Arabia or Iran or Kuwait or wherever we find the next big election-winning war. Gotta keep those pawns on the chessboard. (not that I'm bitter...)