Posted: 12/13/05
Soldier makes it home for Christmas
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
Sgt. David Fink is home for Christmas after completing his second tour in Iraq.
David, the son of Pastor Tony and Joleen Fink, spent his second tour in Iraq as a member of the Indiana 542nd transportation unit, and his experiences were quite different from those he had the first time around.
During his first deployment to Iraq, Fink was stationed in the extreme southern portion of the country, about two hours north of Iraqís border with Kuwait. Living conditions were poor, but on the other hand there wasnít much action there.
In contrast, he was stationed this time just south of Mosul.
ìLiving conditions were 110 percent better,î said Fink. The troops lived inside a 40-ft. trailer with air conditioning, bunk beds, television, Playstation, and other creature comforts.
But the area is a dangerous one. The unit was engaged in combat with the enemy numerous times, and fighting was intense.
Finkís job was to provide convoy security. The convoy transported a variety of cargoófrom supplies to food to detainees and high-ranking military personnel.
Fink was injured in one of the engagements with the insurgents. As the convoy traveled through Talafar, which Fink describes as a ìnasty city,î the unit took fire from the south for about 15 minutes. Fink was in the turret of a Humvee when it hit a hole created by an explosive. He nearly flipped over, and went airborne. The other soldiers grabbed him by the legs and pulled him back into the vehicle. He hurt his head and his back, and in the process his Night Vision Goggles (NVG) flew off his head. They didnít notice right away that the NVGs were missing, and Fink was taken to the hospital.
Upon awakening, Fink was asked to go back through the city to try to locate the goggles. He declined: in the particular engagement in which he was injured, there had been three soldiers from other units killed. Fink and the unit were told that they would be charged $3,700 for the goggles.
With the help of his parents, Fink contacted senators, congressmen, and the Veteransí Administration. The Department of Defense and the Pentagon were also called. Fink received letters of support from some important people, including Senator John McCain (R-Arizona). As the result of the effort made by himself and his parents, the Army agreed not to pursue payment.
Fink said his experience is a good lesson for other soldiers.
ìYou always have the right to talk to your congressman,î he said.
The situation in Iraq has improved in some areas but not in others, Fink believes. The number of attacks has not abated, and there are lingering questions about the countryís ability to govern itself.
ìA lot of people, including me, donít have a lot of trust in the Iraqis,î said Fink. ìIíve been shot at by an Iraqi policeman. Iíd like to see it go well. We really want it to work. But sometimes it seems like a lost cause. As long as we are there, they (the Iraqis) wonít step up.î Fink said he thinks there will be chaos once the troops pull out.
Fink volunteered for his second tour because he felt that with his experience, he could do more good. He said that after his first tour, it bothered him to watch news reports from Iraq because he felt he should be there. He is still in the reserves with his original unit out of Buffalo, MN, and has four years left. If the unit is called up, he has the option of going or not.
One thing that might influence his decision is that heíll be a married man soon. In July, he will wed Marci Christianson of Champlin, who was a member of his unit in Iraq.
ìI wouldnít recommend it as a dating service, but it worked for me,î he said.
His fiancee is currently attending the Minnesota School of Business, and Fink plans to work until she finishes, and then attend college. He would like to work for the DNR. The couple will live in Rochester.
Being on active duty is a life-changing experience, said Fink.
ìIt definitely helps you realize who you are. It helps you grow up and mature quickly, and helps you realize whatís important. As a team leader for his second tour, he was in charge of six other men, a responsibility that was very serious.
When he watched the news from Iraq, Fink sometimes feels like he should be back there helping.
ìBut I enjoy being home,î he said. Heís looking forward to brining the families together at Christmas, to his sisterís wedding in January and his own in July. He appreciates all the support and caring heís received from the community when heís been away.
ìCaledonia has always been great that way,î he said.
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