Disabled Veteran Called Back to Duty

Disabled Veteran Called Back to Duty

By Julie Fine

For college students, this is the time of year to think about final exams. James Raymond has a little more on his mind.

"I have lived a normal college life up until Thursday of last week," said Raymond.

That is when he found out he is called back to active duty, to report to Fort Benning in late May. More than three years after an honorable discharge. Raymond served in Afghanistan. He says he left eardrum was blown out during an explosion from friendly fire, yet he stayed. After that, climbing a hill his knee locked up, and all the ligaments were torn. Raymond came back to the states for surgery, and says he was discharged in 2004, considered a disabled veteran.

"For three years I got awards. I hurt my knee, lost all my hearing in my left ear, things I will never able to get back. But now the military is coming at me and saying what you did was not enough you have to go back," added Raymond.

Raymond was due to graduate in December, but instead of taking his exams in May, he is expected in Fort Benning.

"I am a patriotic person. If i knew I could physically do everything I could do before, I would go back in a heartbeat. Stand next to those men and serve with them honorably," he added.
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