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Insurgent sniper hits Jefferson soldier

Aug-28-2005 » Filed Under: 1/25 SBCT

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BY CARA HOST, Observer-Reporter

JEFFERSON – The sniper in Iraq had Sgt. Daniel Lama of Jefferson in his sights. He probably took aim at one of the most vulnerable parts of the soldier's body, his neck, and pulled the trigger.

Lama, who helps operate a heavily armored Stryker vehicle, came within a fraction of an inch from almost certain death or debilitating injury on Aug. 19

He was shot while on patrol in the Yarmouk Traffic Circle, Mosul, Iraq. Lama was examining his surroundings in the air guard position, from a hatch in the tanklike vehicle, when the sniper shot him.

The bullet went straight through Lama's neck, but instead of severing the young man's spine or an artery, it apparently cut only muscle – a flesh wound.

"We've been praying. This community has been praying for not just Daniel but for all of our soldiers," the soldier's mother, Connie Lama, said Friday. "We're so thankful he's OK. ... Jesus has been very kind to us."

Daniel Lama, 24, is being treated at Madigan Army Medical Center in Fort Lewis, Wash. He is expected to make a full recovery and should be home by December. His parents, along with his sister, Anna, made the cross-country trip to Washington earlier this week.

"He's able to walk. He's in a lot of pain and he's getting some of the movement (in his neck) back," said Dan Lama, Daniel Lama's father. "He has a hole in the neck that you can put your finger through." [...]

"We have a good story but not everybody does and that's very heartbreaking," said Connie Lama, who added that she prays regularly for the families of slain service members.

Since being deployed to Iraq last fall, 34 members of the Stryker Brigade have died, including another area soldier, Pfc. Nils G. Thompson, 19, of Confluence, who was shot and killed by a sniper earlier this month. [...]


Comments For "Insurgent sniper hits Jefferson soldier":

My best wishes for a speedy recovery. I read all about your incident from Michael Yon's blog. You are certainly one very lucky guy and I guess I would have you too as my body guard.
We back home appreciate all you and your buddies are doing for the Iraqis and all of us Americans.
God Bless you and Godspeed
Another Stryker Mom

Posted by: Silvia [TypeKey Profile Page] | August 28, 2005 9:42 PM

We pray for a speedy recovery for you! You are in our thoughts and prayers!
The Greene family

Posted by: Kacie Greene [TypeKey Profile Page] | August 29, 2005 5:27 AM

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