For Corporal Alan Babin Junior and his family the wounds of war will last a lifetime.
“It's an emotional and psychological wound to the family in addition to the physical wounds caused to the soldier,” said Rosie Babin, Alan’s mom.
Tuesday, the family watched as President Obama announced to the nation that after seven-and-a-half years Operation Iraqi Freedom was over.
“I believe that the dangers for those still there not only has not changed but maybe greater,” said Rosie.
“It's not over no matter what he says,” says Alan Babin. “It's not over for the people there or the people coming home.”
Alan Babin's saga began March 31, 2003. Babin had only been in Iraq for two days, when his job as medic with the 82nd Airborne put him in the line of fire. As he was rushing to save a wounded soldier, an enemy bullet pierced his body. He contracted meningitis in the hospital and had a stroke which left him in a wheel chair.
“He's a fighter in every sense of the word; for his bravery as he fights every single day through rehab, and recover to regain the use of his body and his mind,” said Rosie.
Babin was one of the first soldiers wounded in Iraq. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with "V" for valor.
“I'm no hero, I was just doing my job,” said Alan.
His mother has been helping to care for him since his return. Alan calls her his angel.
“She's my Saint,” he said.
Despite his struggle, the Babin's believe Alan's Injury was not in vain.
“The lives our son has touched through his actions on the battlefield and beyond in his rehab and his attitude in his love of country is more than many people accomplish in a lifetime,” said Rosie.
Alan still wears his basic training paratrooper ring and his dog tags to remember what he has lived through. For the sixth straight year he will be participating in the annual Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic.
