Andrews+D.+-+AI+-+SP12

Andrews Dadeboe

Hon. American Studies

2 February 2012

For Soldier Disfigured in War, a Way to Return to the World

Summary A Specialist Joey Paulk woke up three weeks after he was nearly burned to death in Afghanistan. He had to go through what was called the mirror test next. The doctors brought a large mirror in front of Mr. Paulk so he could examine himself. In front of his family he realized his fingers were missing on both hands. He now had a swollen lower lip that hung below his gums. His left lower eyelid was drooped on his face showing some raw tissue. His nostrils were squeezed shut, his chin had disappeared and the top half of one ear was gone. He represented more than the 900 American Service members who have been burned since 2001 form Afghanistan or Iraq. All victims have and will continue to receive the best emergency care, but unfortunately none have been able to retain their full face back. There is a military care system called Operation Mend. Operation Mend spends 500,000 dollars on each of its valued patients. Other programs like Operation Mend are beginning to be formed, but they help soldiers and veterans with other issues like brain trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. To this day Mr. Paulk is able to do many of the everyday things he was unable to do when he first woke up from the coma.

Relevance This Article about giving back to an American soldier who put his life on the line for his country in all ways relates to American Studies. According to Wikipedia the definition of American Studies is "....an interdisciplinary field dealing with the study of the United States. It traditionally incorporates the study of history, literature, and critical theory, but also includes fields as diverse as law, art, the media, film, foreign policy and culture of the United States, among other fields." (Wikipedia 1). This article will have to fall into the culture of the United States. Culture is "......defined as the shared patterns of behaviors and interactions...." (CARLA 1). The action of Americans giving back is a shared pattern of behavior and interaction to the soldiers who are serving and have served this country. It represents the patriotism needed from every citizen in the American country. It is an example of helping the American Soldier by any means to make his or her life better. This article studies the American citizens’ kind actions towards their own soldiers. From reading about Mr. Paulk it is not only citizens but businesses as well. Businesses are sacrificing profit to give to soldiers who have sacrificed their lives.

Evaluation This Article has many relations to the topic American Identity in many ways. With this article America's Identity is identified as a nation that gives back. It gives back if you have risked your life for its own protection. Not only the government is supposed to give back but everyone who lives in the country has a responsibility to make life enjoyable for soldiers and veterans. Whether giving free tuition, treating veterans to a free event or food, or help paying for their mortgages, Americans are trying their best to make sure veterans and soldiers know they are cared for. Mark Evans and his family show this type of responsibility. This upcoming Super bowl him and his family are shipping thousands of pizzas to soldiers stationed overseas. They have done the same for soldiers overseas for the Fourth of July. Americans have done similar actions should be recognized on a national level, and should be role models for the rest of America.

Questions 1. Why are there still veterans to this day who are still homeless, where the government should be putting money there instead of on pointless issues? 2. Is there any type of award, such as money or plaques given to people and businesses who perform similar gifts to soldiers and veterans? 3. Are there any ways or plans to stop and or avoid severe burns? 4. Who can someone contact to know how to give to a soldier(s) overseas? 5. Will having severe burns have an affect on the length of the victim's life, even if they have fully recovered? 6. Is there any limitations on what and how much you can send to soldier's overseas? 7. What is the probability that a soldier will suffer from a severe burn?

Works Cited

"American Studies." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Ed. Wikipedia. Wikipedia, 24 Dec. 2011. Web. 02 Feb. 2012. .

CARLA. "Maximizing Study Abroad." //The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA)//. University of Minnesota, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 02 Feb. 2012. .

Dao, James. "For Soldier Disfigured in War, a Way to Return to the World." //The New York Times//. ING Direct, 31 Jan. 2012. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/us/for-soldier-disfigured-in-afghanistan-a-way-to-return-to-the-world.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=US%20soldier&st=cse>.

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">Driscoll, Molly. "Super Bowl Pizzas Give US Troops a Taste of Home - CSMonitor.com." //The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com//. 1 Feb. 2012. Web. 01 Feb. 2012. <http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2012/0201/Super-Bowl-pizzas-give-US-troops-a-taste-of-home>.