Day 5 - SPC James Robert Gorsuch

**Post updated on 11-05-09 with the full length video of James' story.

SPC James Robert Gorsuch: Army. Enlisted 2005. Bravo Co, 126^th Infantry in Ramadi, Iraq.

Hometown: Jacksonville, FL

Birthday: March 24^th

Interests: Surfing, Thrill-seeking

“I have no regrets . . . this is the best country in the world.”        

– James Gorsuch

James talks in an easy staccato, honing in on what he wants to say as though snapping verbal shots from his memory. After initial training, James was stationed in Germany and deployed to Iraq. James was an infantryman, recalling days of walking 2,000-3,000 meters, clearing out sections of houses in the city. He describes Iraq as “Hot. A whole lot of walking. Kids everywhere . . . they’d save your life.”

Standing guard one day in an observation post, James took enemy fire. During the firefight an RPG hit the observation post and James was knocked out. When he woke up, he continued to return fire, but remembers seeing everything in slow motion. Afterward, James could barely hear for two weeks.

When he returned home, he sought treatment at the Veteran’s Administration (VA). The VA directed him to Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). Their TRACK program saved him from what he referred to as a “downward spiral.” WWP gave him a place to live, structured educational opportunities and counseling to handle day to day challenges. He’s grateful for the help. “When you first get out, you’re a little worse off than you think you are.” Of his service, James says, “I have no regrets . . . this is the best country in the world.”

Visit the Wounded Warrior homepage.