Wounded soldier Nick Beintema returns home for holidays
By Ross Farrow
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
It was a grand homecoming for U.S. Army Spec. Nicholas Beintema after a
world tour that took him from Colorado to Iraq, then to Germany and seven
months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
Thursday afternoon, he came home - without one leg and several teeth - that
came after he was severely wounded on April 28 while on a reconnaissance
mission in northern Iraq.
Beintema, 23, is being reunited with family and friends in Woodbridge, a
month after having his right leg amputated just below the knee.
Despite the devastating injuries he received, which also included a jaw
broken in four places and a concussion, Beintema looks quite normal. He even
went out for a drink with a cousin in Morada the other night.
Except for his amputated leg, Beintema doesn't look and act like someone who
was nearly killed in Iraq. Sunday afternoon, he wore a bright red T-shirt
and tan pants that were full length over his left leg and shortened where
his missing leg is.
The son of Stacy and Randy Beintema, Nick has his good and bad days.
Sometimes he's in pain; other times not. Especially where his leg used to
be.
"The nerves are not there anymore, but they think they are," Beintema said.
"I don't have it nearly as bad as some people do."
Beintema will be home for a month before returning to Walter Reed on Jan. 14
to learn how to use his newly acquired artificial leg. He can hardly wait so
he can ride his dirt bike and go kayaking. In March or April, he plans to go
skiing in Aspen and Vail, Colo.
In fact, Beintema says his routine is fairly normal.
"I don't have a car to jump into," he said.
Beintema, who will begin a stint at Lodi Physical Therapy on Tuesday,
acquired a computerized prosthesis that, by the magic of technology, will
create just the right fit on his knee. Someday, he will have four or five
artificial legs for different uses. For example, Beintema wants one that he
can use underwater. After all, it would be hard to swim kicking one leg, he
reasoned.
A banner draped over the front window of the Beintema home in Woodbridge
welcomes wounded soldier Nick Beintema. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
Beintema considers himself one of the lucky ones. In the explosion that
changed his life on April 28, four other soldiers were killed, including two
from his 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment from Ft. Carson, Colo.
Nevertheless, Beintema was unconscious and in critical condition after the
attack. Beintema was riding in an eight-wheel Stryker combat vehicle when
the insurgent attack took place.
"When I first woke up, I was pretty (ticked)," he said. "They kept me asleep
because of the pain. I don't remember the blast."
Beintema said he feels a little guilty about his feelings, because he thinks
the insurgents who attacked his vehicle should be dead.
He doesn't consider it fair fighting. It would be all right if the Iraqi
insurgents attacked for something they truly believe in, he said.
"These people are fighting to injure people," Beintema said. "They shouldn't
sit in a car and wait for me to drive by with no windows in the Stryker.
Pointing out the front window of his parents' house, Beintema said, "It
would be like me putting a spike strip in front and watch cars crash."
Nevertheless, Beintema is somewhat philosophical about his plight. He
doesn't mind people looking at his amputated leg, especially in Lodi, since
residents here aren't used to seeing something like that. He doesn't mind
people asking him questions about his leg.
"I've told little kids I didn't eat my vegetables," he said.
During his hospital stay, Beintema had the opportunity to meet a host of
celebrities, including President Bush himself.
"It was a big deal, but it was more of a big deal for my mother," he said.
Other celebrities Beintema met were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, boxer Mike Tyson, comic Drew Carey,
country music star Toby Keith, rock stars Brian Wilson and Stevie Nicks and
actress Bo Derek. Several National Football League players visit Walter
Reed. Usually it's the Washington Redskins and the Redskin cheerleaders.
Beintema was particularly impressed with Keith, whom he described as "one of
the most down-to-earth people I've ever met."
He also has his share of souvenirs, including special coins from Bush,
Rumsfeld and other top officers, and some presidential M&Ms. As it turns
out, M&Ms are Bush's favorite candy.
While Wilson and Nicks performed for wounded soldiers and their families,
Beintema's parents may have enjoyed the concerts more than the youthful Nick
Beintema. His parents had to explain to Nick who Nicks is, and it was Randy
Beintema in particular who was excited about Wilson's concert at Walter
Reed.
Despite the tough recovery, Nick Beintema doesn't regret joining the Army
and fighting in Iraq.
"That was our job - to go over there and work," he said. "The people in the
military - we don't pick and choose where we go."
While acknowledging that everyone has the right to either support or oppose
the war in Iraq, Beintema said the United States must complete its fight. If
America pulled its troops from Iraq, he said, what was the point of going
over there and getting wounded?
Beintema said that Cindy Sheehan, the Vacaville woman who has become the
most visible protester of the war, took her late son's honor away from him
by protesting so vehemently.
"The point is we're there," he said. "It's like mowing part of your lawn and
you run out of gas and say 'To hell with it.'"
Limpdick? Sorry I'm not your father, try looking in
alt.crossdressing.queens.
Thank God? for what losing his leg? As far as you can see it was an act of
god that saved him and an act of god that took his leg, and another that
took his teeth. I think god made out better then he did! Got to church on
Sunday and say a prayer for him.... You should have done it earlier maybe
then he wouldn't have been maimed for life. So it's your fault!
Let us Pray!
"Rondo" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Is ther a point here, limp dick?
>
> Thank God he lived. Let's hope he gets the best medical care available for
> as long as he needs it.
>
>
> "1369.44.49.110" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:%7Vpf.37942$Ht4.31011@trnddc08...
>> Wounded soldier Nick Beintema returns home for holidays
>> By Ross Farrow
>> News-Sentinel Staff Writer
>> It was a grand homecoming for U.S. Army Spec. Nicholas Beintema after a
>> world tour that took him from Colorado to Iraq, then to Germany and seven
>> months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
>> Thursday afternoon, he came home - without one leg and several teeth -
>> that came after he was severely wounded on April 28 while on a
>> reconnaissance mission in northern Iraq.
>> Beintema, 23, is being reunited with family and friends in Woodbridge, a
>> month after having his right leg amputated just below the knee.
>> Despite the devastating injuries he received, which also included a jaw
>> broken in four places and a concussion, Beintema looks quite normal. He
>> even went out for a drink with a cousin in Morada the other night.
>> Except for his amputated leg, Beintema doesn't look and act like someone
>> who was nearly killed in Iraq. Sunday afternoon, he wore a bright red
>> T-shirt and tan pants that were full length over his left leg and
>> shortened where his missing leg is.
>> The son of Stacy and Randy Beintema, Nick has his good and bad days.
>> Sometimes he's in pain; other times not. Especially where his leg used to
>> be.
>> "The nerves are not there anymore, but they think they are," Beintema
>> said. "I don't have it nearly as bad as some people do."
>> Beintema will be home for a month before returning to Walter Reed on Jan.
>> 14 to learn how to use his newly acquired artificial leg. He can hardly
>> wait so he can ride his dirt bike and go kayaking. In March or April, he
>> plans to go skiing in Aspen and Vail, Colo.
>> In fact, Beintema says his routine is fairly normal.
>> "I don't have a car to jump into," he said.
>> Beintema, who will begin a stint at Lodi Physical Therapy on Tuesday,
>> acquired a computerized prosthesis that, by the magic of technology, will
>> create just the right fit on his knee. Someday, he will have four or five
>> artificial legs for different uses. For example, Beintema wants one that
>> he can use underwater. After all, it would be hard to swim kicking one
>> leg, he reasoned.
>>
>>
>> A banner draped over the front window of the Beintema home in Woodbridge
>> welcomes wounded soldier Nick Beintema. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
>> Beintema considers himself one of the lucky ones. In the explosion that
>> changed his life on April 28, four other soldiers were killed, including
>> two from his 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment from Ft. Carson, Colo.
>> Nevertheless, Beintema was unconscious and in critical condition after
>> the attack. Beintema was riding in an eight-wheel Stryker combat vehicle
>> when the insurgent attack took place.
>> "When I first woke up, I was pretty (ticked)," he said. "They kept me
>> asleep because of the pain. I don't remember the blast."
>> Beintema said he feels a little guilty about his feelings, because he
>> thinks the insurgents who attacked his vehicle should be dead.
>> He doesn't consider it fair fighting. It would be all right if the Iraqi
>> insurgents attacked for something they truly believe in, he said.
>> "These people are fighting to injure people," Beintema said. "They
>> shouldn't sit in a car and wait for me to drive by with no windows in the
>> Stryker.
>> Pointing out the front window of his parents' house, Beintema said, "It
>> would be like me putting a spike strip in front and watch cars crash."
>> Nevertheless, Beintema is somewhat philosophical about his plight. He
>> doesn't mind people looking at his amputated leg, especially in Lodi,
>> since residents here aren't used to seeing something like that. He
>> doesn't mind people asking him questions about his leg.
>> "I've told little kids I didn't eat my vegetables," he said.
>> During his hospital stay, Beintema had the opportunity to meet a host of
>> celebrities, including President Bush himself.
>> "It was a big deal, but it was more of a big deal for my mother," he
>> said.
>> Other celebrities Beintema met were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
>> Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, boxer Mike Tyson, comic Drew Carey,
>> country music star Toby Keith, rock stars Brian Wilson and Stevie Nicks
>> and actress Bo Derek. Several National Football League players visit
>> Walter Reed. Usually it's the Washington Redskins and the Redskin
>> cheerleaders.
>> Beintema was particularly impressed with Keith, whom he described as "one
>> of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met."
>> He also has his share of souvenirs, including special coins from Bush,
>> Rumsfeld and other top officers, and some presidential M&Ms. As it turns
>> out, M&Ms are Bush's favorite candy.
>> While Wilson and Nicks performed for wounded soldiers and their families,
>> Beintema's parents may have enjoyed the concerts more than the youthful
>> Nick Beintema. His parents had to explain to Nick who Nicks is, and it
>> was Randy Beintema in particular who was excited about Wilson's concert
>> at Walter Reed.
>> Despite the tough recovery, Nick Beintema doesn't regret joining the Army
>> and fighting in Iraq.
>> "That was our job - to go over there and work," he said. "The people in
>> the military - we don't pick and choose where we go."
>> While acknowledging that everyone has the right to either support or
>> oppose the war in Iraq, Beintema said the United States must complete its
>> fight. If America pulled its troops from Iraq, he said, what was the
>> point of going over there and getting wounded?
>> Beintema said that Cindy Sheehan, the Vacaville woman who has become the
>> most visible protester of the war, took her late son's honor away from
>> him by protesting so vehemently.
>> "The point is we're there," he said. "It's like mowing part of your lawn
>> and you run out of gas and say 'To hell with it.'"
>>
>
>
Is ther a point here, limp dick?
Thank God he lived. Let's hope he gets the best medical care available for
as long as he needs it.
"1369.44.49.110" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:%7Vpf.37942$Ht4.31011@trnddc08...
> Wounded soldier Nick Beintema returns home for holidays
> By Ross Farrow
> News-Sentinel Staff Writer
> It was a grand homecoming for U.S. Army Spec. Nicholas Beintema after a
> world tour that took him from Colorado to Iraq, then to Germany and seven
> months at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
> Thursday afternoon, he came home - without one leg and several teeth -
> that came after he was severely wounded on April 28 while on a
> reconnaissance mission in northern Iraq.
> Beintema, 23, is being reunited with family and friends in Woodbridge, a
> month after having his right leg amputated just below the knee.
> Despite the devastating injuries he received, which also included a jaw
> broken in four places and a concussion, Beintema looks quite normal. He
> even went out for a drink with a cousin in Morada the other night.
> Except for his amputated leg, Beintema doesn't look and act like someone
> who was nearly killed in Iraq. Sunday afternoon, he wore a bright red
> T-shirt and tan pants that were full length over his left leg and
> shortened where his missing leg is.
> The son of Stacy and Randy Beintema, Nick has his good and bad days.
> Sometimes he's in pain; other times not. Especially where his leg used to
> be.
> "The nerves are not there anymore, but they think they are," Beintema
> said. "I don't have it nearly as bad as some people do."
> Beintema will be home for a month before returning to Walter Reed on Jan.
> 14 to learn how to use his newly acquired artificial leg. He can hardly
> wait so he can ride his dirt bike and go kayaking. In March or April, he
> plans to go skiing in Aspen and Vail, Colo.
> In fact, Beintema says his routine is fairly normal.
> "I don't have a car to jump into," he said.
> Beintema, who will begin a stint at Lodi Physical Therapy on Tuesday,
> acquired a computerized prosthesis that, by the magic of technology, will
> create just the right fit on his knee. Someday, he will have four or five
> artificial legs for different uses. For example, Beintema wants one that
> he can use underwater. After all, it would be hard to swim kicking one
> leg, he reasoned.
>
>
> A banner draped over the front window of the Beintema home in Woodbridge
> welcomes wounded soldier Nick Beintema. (Ross Farrow/News-Sentinel)
> Beintema considers himself one of the lucky ones. In the explosion that
> changed his life on April 28, four other soldiers were killed, including
> two from his 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment from Ft. Carson, Colo.
> Nevertheless, Beintema was unconscious and in critical condition after the
> attack. Beintema was riding in an eight-wheel Stryker combat vehicle when
> the insurgent attack took place.
> "When I first woke up, I was pretty (ticked)," he said. "They kept me
> asleep because of the pain. I don't remember the blast."
> Beintema said he feels a little guilty about his feelings, because he
> thinks the insurgents who attacked his vehicle should be dead.
> He doesn't consider it fair fighting. It would be all right if the Iraqi
> insurgents attacked for something they truly believe in, he said.
> "These people are fighting to injure people," Beintema said. "They
> shouldn't sit in a car and wait for me to drive by with no windows in the
> Stryker.
> Pointing out the front window of his parents' house, Beintema said, "It
> would be like me putting a spike strip in front and watch cars crash."
> Nevertheless, Beintema is somewhat philosophical about his plight. He
> doesn't mind people looking at his amputated leg, especially in Lodi,
> since residents here aren't used to seeing something like that. He doesn't
> mind people asking him questions about his leg.
> "I've told little kids I didn't eat my vegetables," he said.
> During his hospital stay, Beintema had the opportunity to meet a host of
> celebrities, including President Bush himself.
> "It was a big deal, but it was more of a big deal for my mother," he said.
> Other celebrities Beintema met were Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
> Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, boxer Mike Tyson, comic Drew Carey,
> country music star Toby Keith, rock stars Brian Wilson and Stevie Nicks
> and actress Bo Derek. Several National Football League players visit
> Walter Reed. Usually it's the Washington Redskins and the Redskin
> cheerleaders.
> Beintema was particularly impressed with Keith, whom he described as "one
> of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met."
> He also has his share of souvenirs, including special coins from Bush,
> Rumsfeld and other top officers, and some presidential M&Ms. As it turns
> out, M&Ms are Bush's favorite candy.
> While Wilson and Nicks performed for wounded soldiers and their families,
> Beintema's parents may have enjoyed the concerts more than the youthful
> Nick Beintema. His parents had to explain to Nick who Nicks is, and it was
> Randy Beintema in particular who was excited about Wilson's concert at
> Walter Reed.
> Despite the tough recovery, Nick Beintema doesn't regret joining the Army
> and fighting in Iraq.
> "That was our job - to go over there and work," he said. "The people in
> the military - we don't pick and choose where we go."
> While acknowledging that everyone has the right to either support or
> oppose the war in Iraq, Beintema said the United States must complete its
> fight. If America pulled its troops from Iraq, he said, what was the point
> of going over there and getting wounded?
> Beintema said that Cindy Sheehan, the Vacaville woman who has become the
> most visible protester of the war, took her late son's honor away from him
> by protesting so vehemently.
> "The point is we're there," he said. "It's like mowing part of your lawn
> and you run out of gas and say 'To hell with it.'"
>