SPC Jeremy Goodman

SPC Goodman was assigned to the 5/7 Calvary of the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Georgia as a Calvary Scout.

The 3rd Infantry was deployed in January, 2005 to Balad, Iraq at Camp Anaconda. While in Iraq, the 5/7 was assigned to the other divisions as scouts. They conducted many missions and patrols in the months that followed.

On the night of September 15, 2005, SPC Goodman and his team were on a patrol when his humvee detonated an I.E.D. SPC Goodman was struck in the back by a large piece of shrapnel and his gunner lost his leg and part of his right foot. They were medivaced to a field hospital in Iraq where they were sedated and readied for a flight to Germany. While in Germany SPC Goodman had surgery and was then prepped for a flight to the states.

SPC Goodman arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. on September 15, 2005. He suffered from a fractured pelvis and severe spinal cord injury. He has had numerous surgeries since arriving at Walter Reed. He remains paralyzed and is still a patient at Walter Reed.

SPC Goodman is to be transferred to McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, V.A. within the next month (April). At McGuire he will be in a rehabilitation program for at least three months.

SPC Goodman is originally from Washington, N.C. He looks forward to coming back home to his family and friends. Jeremy knows he will face many changes and challenges in his future. He is very strong willed and determined.

Jeremy states that he has really enjoyed meeting Cindy McGrew and her staff. He really appreciates all the generosity and acts of kindness from Operation Second Chance. Being at a hospital for many months is very stressful. It’s caring people like Cindy and her staff that help to relieve some of that stress and make a wounded soldier feel special.