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Wounded soldier's family prepares for life after surgery

Oct-21-2004 » Filed Under: Michael Oreskovic

The following is front-page article in Eugene's The Register-Guard newspaper regarding Michael Oreskovic. It provides an excellent summary of Michael's military career, his current condition at Walter Reed, and his future plans. The Register-Guard has graciously allowed us to reprint the entire article here.

[Link to Article]
By Jeff Wright, The Register-Guard

A 23-year-old soldier from Eugene will undergo an eighth surgery today at Walter Reed Army Medical Center after losing his left arm in a suicide bomber's attack near Mosul, Iraq, on Oct. 11.

Michael John Oreskovic, a corporal with the Army's 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division based at Fort Lewis, Wash., was injured on his final mission after a yearlong stint in Iraq. The attack came four days after he was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in a similar attack Oct. 5.

Oreskovic is in excellent spirits and gung-ho to re-enlist, his father, Michael Steven Oreskovic, said in a telephone interview Wednesday from Walter Reed hospital in Washington, D.C. Cpl. Oreskovic was preparing for surgery and was unavailable for comment.

"He wants to stay in, he loves the Army," said the senior Oreskovic. "He's a true American, a soldier, a patriot and a warrior, and I'm proud of him."

His son will likely stay at Walter Reed, the Army's main hospital for soldier amputees, for 10 to 12 months, Oreskovic said. His son will receive a prosthesis to replace his lower left arm, which was blown away from just above his elbow. His son is right-handed, he said.

"As a father, if I had to choose an injury for a child to endure, my son's left arm would probably have been my first choice," he said. "He's got his right hand, and he's eating, sleeping, walking, talking. He's alive."

Oreskovic, a quality assurance worker at Lunar Logic, a Eugene computer software company, said he doesn't know how long he and his wife, Georganna, will be able to stay at their son's bedside.

Their finances are limited, and Lunar Logic has established a support fund at Oregon Community Credit Union to help the family with medical, travel and other expenses. Oreskovic was hired at Lunar Logic in March after being out of work for a year following layoffs at Symantec and Monaco Coach, and his wife suffers from several chronic medical ailments. They also have a 21-year-old daughter, Andrea.

His son sent some of his Army pay back to Eugene to help cover Georganna Oreskovic's prescription costs, the senior Oreskovic said. He said he and his wife paid for their own airfare to Washington, D.C., because the Army doesn't cover such expenses for families whose children suffer their son's level of injury.

Cpl. Oreskovic took part in missions involving the search for insurgents in and around Mosul. Often, the most dangerous time came when the soldiers returned to their base on routes vulnerable to ambush.

That's what happened Oct. 5 when his son's brigade was attacked and Cpl. Oreskovic took shrapnel in his left arm and both thighs. "He told me his flak jacket saved his life then," Oreskovic said.

A similar attack happened Oct. 11 when Cpl. Oreskovic and others returned on what was to be their final mission. He was in the turret of a Stryker armored vehicle when a suicide bomber detonated a pickup truck - full of explosives but covered by fruits and vegetables, so as to resemble a vehicle bound for market.

His son and others managed to fire on the pickup but were unable to stop it, Oreskovic said. "It was the biggest explosion the cavalry had seen there in a year," he said. Two sergeants were killed in the blast, and eight others were injured.

The 3rd Brigade deployed roughly 4,000 to Iraq almost a year ago, with many of them due to return in early November, after first training their replacements, another Stryker unit from Fort Lewis, the Tacoma News Tribune reported last week. About 250 soldiers from the 3rd Brigade have received Purple Hearts, the medal awarded to those wounded in action, the newspaper said.

Cpl. Oreskovic attended Gilham Elementary, Cal Young Middle and Sheldon High schools, his father said. He dropped out of school after suffering a soccer-related knee injury, then earned his high school equivalency degree from Lane Community College.

Oreskovic called his son a "video game-playing couch potato" who had few ideas about his future until 1993 when he saw television footage of U.S. Rangers' bodies being dragged in the streets of Mogadishu, Somalia.

"It lit a fire under him like the hand of God coming down," said Oreskovic. "His attitude was, `This is something we are not going to stand for anymore.' "

His son began conditioning and running. "I'd take him to the Coburg Hills, drop him off on one side, and wait for him to come out the other end," he said. His son would practice tearing down and rebuilding weapons while blindfolded. He went to the recruiters' office on his own, enrolled in Airborne School, fulfilled his dream of becoming a paratrooper, honed a reputation as an expert marksman.

His military buddies "called him John J." - the first name and middle initial of Sylvester Stallone's movie character Rambo - "because he was such a high-speed guy."

He said his son feels the reasons for being in Iraq are justified and that he now aspires to a career in military intelligence. Today's surgery should be the last prior to the fitting of a prosthesis for his son.

Oreskovic, a former Navy man, said he's impressed by the caliber of medical staff at Walter Reed, but dismayed by the military's limited support for injured soldiers and their families. "I may become an advocate for family rights," he said. "It's amazing how many things they don't help with because of budget constraints."

Ame Arden, co-owner at Lunar Logic, called Oreskovic "a gentleman's gentleman" who doesn't like to talk about his personal woes but is clearly proud of his son - judging from the pictures at his work desk.

Lance Jacobs, a friend, got to know Oreskovic when they both worked at Symantec, and more recently on hunting trips and target shooting excursions. "He talks about his son so often and so proudly," he said. "It's just been heartbreaking to hear about this."

MICHAEL ORESKOVIC FUND

Support sought to help soldier, family, with medical costs

Donations: Mail to Oregon Community Credit Union, Michael Oreskovic Fund, 488 E. 11th Ave., Eugene, OR 97401. Or visit any OCCU branch.

(Copyright 2004 The Register-Guard)


Comments For "Wounded soldier's family prepares for life after surgery":

We all know that Mike is a "Gentlemen's Gentleman". He's also a great prayer writer. Your family is an inspiration to all Americans.

Rosemary

Posted by: Rosemary | October 21, 2004 5:09 PM

Your a very brave soldier Michael. Thank you for all you have done. God give you the strength to over come your hurdles. Is it possible to get an email for the Oreskovic
family.

Posted by: Randy | October 21, 2004 6:57 PM

Mike (the father) is one of the founders of this site and a regular contributor. If you leave your message here he will be sure to read it. Thanks.

Posted by: Todd | October 21, 2004 7:08 PM

Mike and family, your positive attitude in the face of these challenges is an inspiration to all of us who wish and pray for the best for all of you. Thank you for showing us how not to be afraid of a new path in life. If you become an advocate there is no doubt that you will be a success and a blessing to countless other families.

Posted by: Kathy | October 21, 2004 10:24 PM

Hello all, Just a quick note as it is late here in DC and Michael is now sleeping after his final surgery. We hope and pray it worked out well and is his last one. I plan on thanking the reporter tomorrow for his story on our son and family as I feel he did a good job and did not twist things around to make a story sound like something else. Call me a pessimist, but I tend to shy away from things like this for the fear of being quoted out of context. After about an hour on the phone, I know I bombarded him with a lot of information and if I could rewrite it, I would have changed only a few things to better emphasize my experiences. First and foremost, the Stryker Family has been an immense help to my family. I can never repay such kindness to you all. Secondly, The Fisherhouse organization came through for us at the last minute and took care of all the final details for travel and lodging. Through donations from people all over the country, this organization is doing wonders for families and injured soldiers. Finally, my employer, Lunar Logic, for starting off the fund for us and loaning me a laptop so I can communicate with everyone was above and beyong the call for most employers I have worked for.

Again my sincerest thank you to all of you. The look on my wife's face when she first walked into our son's room will be something I will never forget. After a very long week of not knowing, it was such a relief to know he was OK and still our son as we have always known him. I am truly blessed and thank God for giving me the strength to continue.

For those of you following the Steve Thorne updates, I would like to say Ditto on everything Steve has said about this place. It is amazing what the staff and patients accomplish here every day. If I were King, I would require all who reside in our great country to volunteer at least one week of service to this place. What I have experienced at Walter Reed Army Medical Center will forever be etched into my brain. As sad as it can be at times seeing all our brave men and women who have been injured, it is also a miracle a minute around here seeing what can be done with technology and strong willed soldiers. God bless them all and God bless America.

Most respectfully yours,
Michael Oreskovic and Family

Posted by: Mike Oreo | October 21, 2004 11:57 PM

Mike, Georgianna and Michael: Your courage and strength in the face of adversity is a testimony to us all. You are all constantly in our prayers and thoughts.
Jamie - Military Moms

Posted by: Jamie Matthews | October 22, 2004 6:03 AM

May God bless you.


Cpl Williams, U.S Army

Posted by: jamie | December 24, 2004 5:32 PM

I listened to you speak on C-SPAN and wanted to let you know that my wife, my daughter (3), my son (1) and I are very thankful for your service.

Thank You and God Bless,

Paul Werry - Wichita Kansas

Posted by: Paul Werry | March 28, 2005 6:06 PM

I just saw the interview on C-SPAN and would just like to say that that I was totally impressed with your story. I am 22 and you opened my eyes to real life. Many people take things for granted but instead you ues it to your advantage!! I hope you get better soon. Nothing but LUCK in the future for you and your family!!!
You are truly inspiring

Posted by: Michelle- Maryland | March 28, 2005 8:25 PM

I was incredibly touched by the story I saw on C-SPAN and just wanted to say that I am forever grateful for everything our soldiers do for us.

To Mr. and Mrs. Oreskovic, I would just like to say that your son is an amazing individual with a big heart. My thoughts, prayers, and support are with you and Michael.

To Michael, I admire your courage and am thankful for everything you have done for us. There aren't too many college students who realize what goes on outside of the campus, but I was lucky enough to see your story. If you ever feel like writing to someone across the country, please do. I would be thrilled to write back. Thank you for sharing your story and getting my attention. And thank you for being so strong.

Be Safe, and God Bless You All.

Posted by: Kathryn - Keene State College | March 28, 2005 9:11 PM

Hello Mike- I saw your story on Cspan last night and could not believe someone my own age had such a positive outlook on life! I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope you get to return home soon!
We're all thinking about you!


Posted by: Jyl | March 29, 2005 10:54 AM

Michael,

I happened to see your interview on CSPAN. It is strange that you can feel such pride for someone you have never met, but that is what I feel. Saying "Thank You" for your service, love for our country and for freedom seems so shallow compared to what you have given, but it is all I have to offer and is given with humble gratitude for you and your life which will touch many. You will be in my prayers and should you need of anything, please ask.

Jim - St Louis

Posted by: Jim | March 29, 2005 7:02 PM

Michael, I watched the c-span special in which you spoke about your encounters in combat and listened to your theology on warfare and the human race. I must say that my fiance and I were so impressed with your statements and we connected with you more so than any other person who has tried to explain the mind set of those who fought in the war whether for us or against us. Your words brought clarity to us about how we should portray our situation. Not that we have not been paying attention to the news, but to hear first hand accounts really hit home to us. I am a fan of all who serve our great country but in particular a fan of yours. Not just for what you did for us in battle, but how you are as a man, a confident man who sees what the future can be like with just a push in the right direction. I know I am probably being a little overbearing with my compliments but I think I realized that I have just re-lived the dream of war through you and I felt proud to see that people that seem to be so normal to me, can be such heroic symbols of peace.
Kent Broderson
Atlanta, GA

Posted by: Kent Broderson | March 29, 2005 7:16 PM

Wow, I am listening to Michael on CSPAN right now and I am very impressed with this mature and amazing young man. What a credit to our service people to have such an courageous, strong, and eloquent representative!

God bless you, Michael (as well as all the other members of our armed services) and thank you for your dedication and service to our country.

Janet
Lynnwood, WA

Posted by: Janet | March 30, 2005 11:43 AM

My husband and I watched Michael on CSpan last night and we were both in tears. Michael is such a well spoken young man. There is not one ounce of self pity evident and he is a true patriot. We both feel such pride in him. My husband is a Viet Nam Vet who also has pride in his service to our Country and no regrets for having done so. It is wonderful to know Michael would still like to serve his country.

Lynne Rowe
Paxton, FL

Posted by: Lynne Rowe | April 3, 2005 1:23 PM

Michael, I want you to run for President!

Posted by: jerlene care | April 9, 2005 7:29 PM

Michael-I was so impressed w/ your attitude as I watched your C-span interview. Your clearheaded optimism is infectuous and will serve you well during your recovery.

I have a book I would like to share w/ you so if you or your father is monitoring this site please respond w/ an address that I can mail this to.

I will send it to Walter Reed if you are still there but please advise on an appropriate address.

Thank-you to Michael for your sacrifice & service, and thank-you to Mr. & Mrs Oreskovic for your son. As a parent I cannot imagine what you've been thru and how proud you are all at the same time.

David Bailey

Posted by: david bailey | April 22, 2005 12:59 PM

I have seen this interview and we should require everyone in the house and senate to sit through this interview on TV in plain site of we the people and afterward to remain in their seats to be questioned by anyone who cares to ask one,and I don't mean by some commentator,,by the men and women in the service and the general public,,they should be put to the test and their feet held to the fire and anyone who objects should be blackballed,,shame on them if they can't stand up like the men and women they send to war.

Posted by: dean thompson | August 11, 2008 10:05 PM

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