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Amputee Combat Veterans Return to Iraq Print E-mail
Monday, 22 June 2009
By Sgt. Kathleen Briere
Multi-National Corps - Iraq

Staff Sgt. Bradley K. Gruetzner explains his prosthetic arm to servicemembers at Al-Faw Palace here on Camp Victory, June 21. Photo by Sgt. Kathleen Briere, Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
Staff Sgt. Bradley K. Gruetzner explains his prosthetic arm to servicemembers at Al-Faw Palace here on Camp Victory, June 21. Photo by Sgt. Kathleen Briere, Multi-National Corps – Iraq.
BAGHDAD — Six amputee combat veterans put their uniforms back on and returned to Iraq recently for the first time since sustaining their injuries in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the rotunda of the Al Faw Palace here on Camp Victory, they introduced themselves to hundreds of their brothers and sisters in arms in support of yet another operation, Operation Proper Exit.

Operation Proper Exit is a pilot program being introduced by the Disabled American Veterans, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing lives of disabled veterans.

The program is run by the Troops First Foundation, which is supported by the United Service Organization. It allows troops who sustained injuries in combat to return to the camps or bases at which they were housed.

"This was their idea. They wanted to come back," said Staff Sgt. Alejandro Perez, MNF-I. Working directly with and for MNF-I Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Wilson, Perez planned and organized the week-long visit.

Brig. Gen. Heidi V. Brown, deputy commanding general, Multi-National Corps – Iraq, introduced herself and presented a coin to each returning servicemember. She said she was glad they came back and that she hopes their visit here "closes the loop."

The troops and their entourage are scheduled to visit seven locations during their visit this week.
 
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