Soldier blinded in Iraq charged in alleged police assault

[leftchick]

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/special_packages/iraq/10792576.htm


UNIONTOWN, Pa. - A soldier who was blinded by shrapnel while serving in Iraq allegedly punched one police officer and injured another officer's eye in an altercation outside a bar, officials said.

Sam Ross Jr., 22, of Dunbar, was charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness for scuffling with a woman, two men and two police officers early Saturday outside Uniontown's Highland House bar and restaurant.

<snip>


Ross was a combat engineer with the 82nd Airborne Division when he was wounded on May 18, 2003, while disposing of munitions near Baghdad. On his way to a disposal pit, he was cradling a mine in a sand-filled shovel when it exploded.

The accident left him with no sight and a prosthetic leg that starts 6 inches below his left knee.

[whistle]

1. That is a shame, so what kind of counseling does the military...

...veterans administration provide to vetrans in this kind of situation. Sounds like they brought him home, dumped him on his doorstep and told him to fend for himself! Adjust as best he can, he is no longer BushCo's problem.

[johncoby2]

2. He sacrificed his sight so others could see democracy.

oh gag. I am speaking like a chimp.

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[arcane1]

9. he sacrificed to make billionaires even richer

and to rob a country of its natural resources

[TahitiNut]

11. Gee... did the Hitler Youth meeting adjourn early? (Well, R.I.P.)

:eyes:

[Tsiyu]

12. Many before him made the same sacrifice

Only to see America start on the path to NO democracy. Funny how that worked out?

[yinkaafrica]

3. And so he slides deeper into hell

What now, must he sit in jail?
His next stop could very well be suicide.
What beasts Bush has turned us into.

[David__77]

4. Another generation of veterans, maimed and alienated.

It is a horrible crime perpetrated by the rightists. We must welcome and befriend these veterans and encourage soldiers to oppose the aggression and not to commit war crimes ordered by their overseers in the officers' corp.

[VegasWolf]

5. and so begins the heroin addiction of a new generation. n/t

[RamboLiberal]

6. This kid needs help - this is 2nd violent incident

Last year he got in to trouble in an argument with I believe his father where he Sam Ross pointed a gun and threatened to shoot.

Story was pretty much covered up by local media. They only want to present the brave injured soldier who carries on and wants to get back to his unit.

Media and govt forget the desparate help these soldiers need.

[Pathwalker]

7. Welcome back to the bad old days of the Vietnam era.

Get used to it - this will happen regularly for several years. And while you're noticing this, please also notice the future television dramas featuring a 'disturbed war vet' who went crazy from war stress. The TV shows will dine on this crap for YEARS. :cry:

[Roland99]

10. Is there a site summarizing all such incidents of injured veterans?

[RamboLiberal]

13. Local News - this kid is a time bomb - poor guy

<snip>

According to a criminal complaint, Ross punched one man and bit another when the two men came to the aid of a woman. Police said Ross was screaming at the woman while restraining her against an exterior wall of Highland House bar and restaurant.

During the altercation, Ross and one of the men tumbled onto the hood of a car, causing $500 in damage.

<snip>

In an unrelated case, Ross and two others -- David Brian Solomon, 47, and Brenda Lee Solomon, 44 -- face preliminary hearings at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 before Magisterial District Justice Dwight Shaner, of Dunbar Township.

State police at Uniontown charged the three with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct after a July 17 incident outside the Solomons' house at 120 Brick Row Road, Dunbar.

Police allege the three were involved in an altercation that ended when Brenda Solomon struck Ross on the back of the head with a small shelving bracket.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/search/s_299429.html

They need to get this poor guy some help ASAP!