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| Hundreds Of US Troops Die, Over 1,000 Injured In Motocycle Accidents |
| 2006-02-06 |
| More troops have died in off-duty motorcycle accidents after they returned from duty in Afghanistan than have been killed fighting there since Sept. 11, 2001, safety records show. Military commanders in North Carolina say the deaths are largely the result of boredom, bonus pay, and adrenalin to burn off after troops return from wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Nearly 350 troops have died on bikes since the 2001 terrorist attacks. That's compared to 259 killed while serving in Afghanistan. Nearly 1,000 more troops have been injured on bikes. Marine Lance Cpl. Mark Strickland, 24, was one of five Marines from Camp Lejeune who were involved in serious motorcycle crashes in October. Four of them had been home just a few weeks from combat in Iraq's deadly Anbar Province. Three of the Marines were killed and another lost a leg. "When the doctor told me that he was dead, I told him that wasn't acceptable, it just wasn't acceptable," said Andrea Strickland, 22, the widow of Mark Strickland. "I said, 'He just got back from a war zone, and you're going to tell me that he died doing something he loved?' " The problem could get worse as some 20,000 Marines and sailors begin returning to bases in North Carolina over the coming weeks. "Our goal is not to see the same thing happen," said Lt. Gen. James F. Amos, commander of the Camp Lejeune-based II Marine Expeditionary Force. Amos described the crashes in October as "a cold shot to the heart" and ordered a crackdown. The following month normal base operations were halted to focus on safety, particularly for motorcyclists. Camp Lejeune also added safety programs and re-emphasized existing ones. These include a mentor program Amos created that's being considered as a model for the entire Marine Corps. The Army hasn't been immune to off-duty motorcycle deaths, with more than 40 in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The Army chief of staff issued a memo in December that urge experienced riders to cut the accident rate by mentoring beginners. The military has enough of a challenge maintaining a force that repeated deployments have left severely stretched, according to two reports released last month - one commissioned by the Pentagon, the other by Congressional Democrats. In response to the motorcycle injuries, Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson Jr., who oversees most of the Marine Corps' East Coast facilities, has visited area motorcycle dealers and asked them to pass out Corps-funded $100 vouchers to Marine customers for the safety classes. "I've owned three motorcycles, and they're a lot of fun, but you've got to be careful," Dickerson said. He says the Marines need risk-takers but it's crucial to draw a line between courage and recklessness. Troops say the bikes fill the adrenalin void they left behind in the war zone. "Riders who have been in accidents have told us that it's the legal crack cocaine," said J.T. Coleman, a civilian spokesman for the Army's Combat Readiness Center in Fort Rucker, Ala., which tracks accidents among soldiers. "They say it gives them the same adrenaline rush they get driving their tank through Baghdad or whatever." |
| Posted by:Anonymoose |
| #22 Thanks Penguin, somehow I misse the day you posted already, Glad to hear you found a matching donor in time Penguin. Thanks for sharing about it. To SPC. Brian Stewart, and all doners and their families, the gift of life your love ones gave is priceless. I recieved my donor liver March 18, 2003. My family will always be grateful. |
| Posted by: RD 2006-02-06 22:09 |
| #21 The "I am bullet proof - nothing can kill me syndrone" aggrevated by a fat checkbook and an appitite for a Harley. I've been assigned to too many survivor assistance details to think differently. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2006-02-06 20:57 |
| #20 The comment about adrenalin void after combat is a big part of this problem. After WWII, troops took weeks or months to get home by ship. It was (I'm told) an important adjustment time. These troops go from places like Fallujah and Anbar province to home in a couple of days. Leadership challenge for commanders stateside. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-02-06 20:55 |
| #19 Motorcycles: Why Do They Hate Us? |
| Posted by: Tibor 2006-02-06 20:42 |
| #18 Penguin, I was going to write snark about Keith Richards, but then I went back and read your comment. No words, just gratitude to SPC Stewart and all those who sacrifice for us. |
| Posted by: lotp 2006-02-06 20:26 |
| #17 Can't think of anyone welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven faster than a warrior who served several others even after death! God bless you, SPC Stuart. |
| Posted by: Bobby 2006-02-06 20:22 |
| #16 and fill out a donor card anyway. This is the bottom line and one great way to respect the sacrifices our troops make overseas. I've been a donor ever since I had the opportunity. The low donation rates in our modern society are nearly criminal. my luck I'll end up with Keith Richards' liver....damn On the bright side, it has a street value of $30,000. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2006-02-06 20:08 |
| #15 I hope SPC Stewart's liver has found itself in good company here at Rantburg. And thanks for sharing, Penguin. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2006-02-06 19:35 |
| #14 Frank, Hey kieth's liver, now thats one tough liver, probably made of tungsten carbide! * Penguin, How many days after 22 June, 2004 did you recieve his liver? if you don't mind nme asking. |
| Posted by: RD 2006-02-06 19:17 |
| #13 my luck I'll end up with Keith Richards' liver....damn |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-02-06 19:04 |
| #12 Penguin, You were blessed by SPC Stewart and his decision. My condolences for this loved ones. He clearly made good decisions to donate, as we all should. |
| Posted by: 49 pan 2006-02-06 18:50 |
| #11 Here's his obituary RD: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20040624/ai_n11463701 A guy in LA has his heart, a guy in Oakland has a kidney. Some blind 23 year old woman has his corneas. That's all we know about. |
| Posted by: Penguin 2006-02-06 18:27 |
| #10 He came back home, bought a motorcycle and was killed on it 22 June, 2004. The next day his liver was transplanted into me. Penguin, for real? |
| Posted by: RD 2006-02-06 18:13 |
| #9 What Mike said, and wear a helmet and fill out a donor card anyway. |
| Posted by: Snaggle P 2006-02-06 17:17 |
| #8 Whoa Penguin! |
| Posted by: Snaggle P 2006-02-06 17:16 |
| #7 Penguin: I was going to put in some snarky comment about a "motorcycle quagmire," but after reading your post . . . I just can't. Rest in peace, Spc. Stewart, and thank you for your service. All of it. |
| Posted by: Mike 2006-02-06 17:03 |
| #6 But... but... how are the bikes? |
| Posted by: Chuck Simmins 2006-02-06 16:48 |
| #5 SPC. Brian Stewart from Utah served for 14 months in Iraq. He came back home, bought a motorcycle and was killed on it 22 June, 2004. The next day his liver was transplanted into me. From what I know from his family, he was a great guy and his tragic death crushed them. Tell your loved ones to be careful and wear helmets. |
| Posted by: Penguin 2006-02-06 16:21 |
| #4 Two words: Track Days. If they want an adrenaline fix, let 'em have one. Just make sure it's in a controlled environment like a race course instead of on the street where the presence of idiot motorists is difficult to control. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2006-02-06 15:28 |
| #3 Geat! Now we're going to outlaw Harley's and Honda's like in the late 70's. Helmets, gloves, jacket, and reflector things are required as well as motorcycle safety classes. So how many troops die each year comparing combat vets to non-combat vets and also the years before 911. They are comparing apples to sea food. Spitt, kuss, here we go again, wrap us in bubble wrap cause we are to valuable to be in society. |
| Posted by: 49 Pan 2006-02-06 15:16 |
| #2 Let 'em have a little R'n'R in Damascus first, right? |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2006-02-06 15:14 |
| #1 There's only one way to keep these thrill seeking soldiers safe. Send them all immediately to Tehran. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2006-02-06 15:10 |