Claim: Prayers and cards are requested for Sgt. Kevin Downs, who was injured in Iraq.
Status: True.
Example: [Collected via e-mail, 2006]
Dear Friends: 3/21/06 There is a young soldier (a 23 year old Tennessee National Guardsman) named He was blown out of his tank in Baghdad a year ago and left with no feet, mangled arms, and burns over 60% of his body. He is a Tennessee boy. Everyone else in the tank was killed. His condition is not good. A surgery to improve the use of fingers on one hand inadvertently caused previous skin grafts to break down, and the grafts on his legs are cracking as well and may require beginning over at square one. Kevin is tired and low in spirits. He needs our prayers and support through cards. Would you please send him a note or card to let him know you are thinking about him? Remember him in your prayers as well. Now I am going to ask a special favor from me. Would you please send this to as many people that you can in your e-mail addresses? Hit FORWARD and let my I love America and know that it could very well be one of my family members. Thank you for all that you will do. His address is: Sgt. Kevin Downs Thanks again! Every little card and prayer will help! |
Origins: On 14 August 2005, near the city of Tuz in northeastern Iraq, the Humvee that
Smithville.
Sgt. Downs was blown into the air by the blast, and his resultant injuries included two broken legs, a broken arm and pelvis, and second- and
Kevin's recovery has been slow and awful, an endless sequence of pain, suffering, surgeries, and setbacks. In the face of it, it is hard for him not to give in to depression. Those wishing more detail about his battle to get well are encouraged to read the log entries on the Kevin Downs page maintained on the web site of the South Cheatham Advocate, a newspaper in Tennessee.
An October 2005 letter written by LTC Miles Smith and added to by Mike Goodrich provides additional information about the attack that injured
The Fort Sam Houston address given in the
Sgt. Kevin Downs
P. O. Box 118
Kingston Springs, TN 37082
A fund has set up in Kevin Downs' name to accomodate those looking to make a monetary donation:
Community Bank and Trust
P. O. Box 340
Kingston Springs, TN 37082
Last updated: 28 April 2006
Sources: