Kuiphof Family Blog

Hey everyone... I just received an e-mail from Aunt Carol. She said that she got a phone call late this afternoon from Lt. Col. Rossi who informed her that Eric was seriously injured this morning, along with others from his platoon. My dad talked to her a little bit and it sounds like Eric was on a building that was hit and he either fell off the building or fell with the building as it collapsed. I'm sure we'll know more as time goes on. Here are the details that she forwarded to me:

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*********** CASUALTY REPORT ***********
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(01) Report Type: INIT
(02) Casualty Type: HOSTILE
(03) Casualty Status: SI (SERIOUSLY ILL/INJURED)
(04) Report Number: SK607188
(07) Category: ACTIVE DUTY/
(09) Name(Last/First/Middle/Sfx): HOLKEBOER/ERIC/G/
(12) Rank: Cpl
(13) Service/Component: USMCR/RESERVE
(14) Organization/Station: A CO, 1ST BN, 24TH MAR, RCT-6, II MEF (FWD)
{14160SK4}
(15) Duty MOS/AFSC: 0311
(35) Duty Status: ON DUTY//
(36) Date/time of Incident: 20070306/1214//
(37) Place of Incident: FALLUJAH//IZ
(39) Circumstances: CPL HOLKEBOER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED LEFT TIBIA AND FIBULA, RIGHT FACIAL HEMATOMA, SCROTAL HEMATOMA, AND FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS TO HIS FACE AND LEGS WHILE CONDUCTING COMBAT OPERATIONS AGAINST ANTI-IRAQI FORCES IN THE AL ANBAR PROVINCE. CPL HOLKEBOER WAS ON THE ROOF OF A PATROL BASE WHEN THE BUILDING WAS STRUCK BY INDIRECT FIRE. CPL HOLKEBOER WAS CASEVACED TO TAQADDUM SURGICAL WHERE HE WAS TREATED BY COMPETENT MEDICAL AUTHORITY. CPL HOLKEBOER WAS WEARING THE NEW KEVLAR HELMET, FLAK JACKET, WITH TWO E-SAPI PLATES, SIDE SAPI PLATES, BALLISTIC GOGGLES, NOMEX GLOVES, AND THROAT AND GROIN PROTECTORS. THIS REPORT HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY MAJ KOLOMJEC, S-1 OFFICER, AT 3604-112.
(40) Inflicting Force: ENEMY FORCES
(42) Place Hospitalized: TAQADDUM SURGICAL/TAQADDUM//IZ
(44) Progress and Prognosis: STABLE/
(61) Additional Remarks: NONE SUBMITTED AT THIS TIME

PLEASE PRAY for Eric's safe return and complete healing! Please also pray for the others who were also wounded. These guys are absolutely our heroes! They lay it all on the line for us every day... and that should never be underappreciated. I am just so moved and so grateful for their service to our country! Especially in moments like these.

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Update from Aunt Carol (Wednesday morning, 03-07-07):

Hi everyone!

It isn't much, but Eric did call early this morning. He sounded kind of puny, but it was him! He was only able to tell me he would be going to Germany but not when. He wasn't clear about much of anything--it was about 24 hours after it happened. He was not able to tell me much about his injuries, I asked about surgery, but said he was okay for pain.

So not really any more farther ahead in news, it was really good to hear his voice! Thank you for your prayer support--I can nearly physically feel it and I'm hoping he does too! Ü Carol