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| Maimed OIF vet mulls future in Marine Corps |
| 2003-12-08 |
| Gunnery Sgt. David J. Dill never saw it coming. He knew the dangers. He’d trained to disarm them for years. But bad luck, bad timing and the dangerous nature of clearing minefields caught up to him. Dill, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of 1st Combat Engineer Battalion’s Sapper Course, lost his lower left leg to an Iraqi land mine during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 19-year veteran was on a mine-marking assignment with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion when the explosion occurred. "I was proud to go to Iraq to fight for what I believe in," Dill said. "But it was definitely an eye-opening experience for me." He thought he’d make 20 years and retire until the explosion knocked him to the ground and changed the course of his future. His wife, Christine, said her husband called right after his operation to inform her about his accident. "He jumped right into gunny mode when the land mine went off," Christine said of the stories related to her. "When his fellow Marines rushed to assist him, he halted them to ensure their safety." She added that Dill was surrounded by land mines. It took 30 minutes for Marines to evacuate him from the danger zone. Dill was left shattered. His lower left leg was a tangle of bone, torn flesh and blood. Later, it would be completely removed. Recovery is slow and frustrating, but Dill is able to partake in activities he enjoys. He golfs, fishes and hunts and keeps a regular workout schedule at the gym. Still, not all is normal. At home, Dill sometimes struggles with routine everyday activities, Christine said. Activites that were once second nature and easily tackled are now major hurdles for the combat engineer. Running is frustrating for Dill. He used to enjoy stretching out his legs for long runs. She tries to help her husband during these hard times. "You do what you have to do for the people you love," Christine said. Dill, a sapper instructor, said he was expecting a medical discharge after he returned from deployment. But now, since he is close to retiring, he’s hoping to be allowed to finish out his 20-year career. Besides, he can still do his job, he said. A colleague confirmed it. "The injury has not affected Gunny Dill’s working performance at all," said Staff Sgt. Raymond A. Valdez, a Sapper instructor who lost his left eye during the same explosion. For Dill, his work’s not done in the Marine Corps. He’s still got experience and nearly 20 years’ worth of lessons to impart to young Marines. It’s a passion that drives him to teach courses now. "I would like to pass on some of the values I got from the Marine Corps to the next generation," Dill said. "I definitely have no regrets in my Marine Corps career," Dill said. "We don’t join the Marine Corps to get injured. We just join knowing there is a risk." These are the types of men I have the privelege of serving with each day. I hope the Corps lets him finish out his 20. This guy is exactly the type of warrior young Marines need to be around. His experience and hard-charging attitude is exactly what I look for in a SNCO. You are not going to hear any negativity or whining from a professional of this caliber - wonder if the NYT picked up on this - yeah, I know. My prayers are with him and his family. |
| Posted by:Jarhead |
| #6 Let him do his 20! The Corps has plenty of experience keeping guys like the gunny active. Notably, FSGT. Don Hamblen. Google him - he's as tough as they come. The Corps does a pile of things well (ok, ham and mothers was a notable exception) but good PR is holy grail. Some PIO is no doubt on the case already. |
| Posted by: doc8404 2003-12-8 8:11:07 PM |
| #5 think if Admiral Horatio Nelson had to face the same circumstances Then again anyone having the nerve to releave Nelson would have been okay in the I ain't afeard o'nutin department. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2003-12-8 6:59:34 PM |
| #4 If he wants to stay in and pass on his skills and knowledge to the incoming Marines the Corps would be foolish to retire him. After all the Navy did allow the one salvage diver that lost a leg in the recovery operation for the bombs off of Spain to return to active duty. Just think if Admiral Horatio Nelson had to face the same circumstances. |
| Posted by: Cheddarhead 2003-12-8 6:17:16 PM |
| #3 Courage,Honor,Experience.What's not to like. I could think of worse mentors. |
| Posted by: Raptor 2003-12-8 1:49:40 PM |
| #2 By all means, let this man work out his 20 and pass along his experience and spirit. It would be a privilege, indeed, to have this man as your instructor. Thanks, Gunny! Thx, JH! |
| Posted by: .com 2003-12-8 11:07:28 AM |
| #1 Jarhead, AMEN, brother. Semper Fi!! And may God Bless Gunny and America! |
| Posted by: alaskasoldier 2003-12-8 9:48:52 AM |