Posted: 6/28/05
Caledonia man injured in Iraq
David Fink, the son of Tony and Joleen Fink of Caledonia, is back on duty in Iraq after being injured on June 15.
Fink, 22, was injured while on a transportation convoy from Mosul to Tal Afar, near the Syrian border.
Finkís convoy came under attack by Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and small arms fire while traveling to Tal Afar. While under attack, the Humvee Fink was in hit an IED crater and started to tip. The crew was able to right the vehicle, but in the course of tipping, David hit his head on the turret and received a concussion and back injury.
David is now back on active duty and operating a machine gun, Tony Fink said on June 27. It is fortunate that the Humvee did not tip, since David was in the turret, Tony said. The Fink family is also grateful that the assistant driver was able to pull him back inside.
ìWeíre concerned as you would imagine parents would be,î Tony said. ìThe biggest thing is we want to make sure his injury isnít something that continues for the rest of his life.î
David believes in the mission, Tony said, and is looking forward to coming home. Yet David is glad he is there, Tony said.
This is Finkís second tour in Iraq. He was there for a year with with a Buffalo, Minnesota, Unit of the Army Reserves. He re-enlisted with a unit from Kingsbury, Indiana. He has about five months left on his current tour and is planning to begin training as a pilot after this mission.
Being there when the war first started, David was able to see how bad the Iraqi people lived, Tony said. ìFor whatever reason weíre over there, he thinks weíre having a positive influence,î Tony said.
David feels that people hear about the hot spots in Iraq, but donít hear about the parts where they can see some progress, Tony added.
Finkís address is SGT. Fink David M., 542nd TC 1225 CSB, 3rd PLT, Camp Endurance APO AE 09334.725-3877.
Parts of this story were used with permission from the June 23 Mabel-Harmony News Record.
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