JM> I just spoke to Stan and passed along all the comments of support.
JM> He expressed his thanks to all for their kind words.

After a hellacious week, I have a minute to update everybody on what has
happened this week.

Michael died on Monday at 1500 about 13 hours after he was injured in a
vehicle rollover (rolled off a bridge, actually) in Baghdad.  Three men died
at the scene and another three died very soon after the accident.  Eight are
still in the hospital, including Mike's platoon leader.  Mike was able to
talk after the accident, and told Sergeant Wes Smith that he was having
trouble breathing.  He was MEDEVACed to the International Green Zone and
died in ICU while being attended by a dozen trauma surgeons, anesthetists
and nurses.  Cindy and I were notified of his death at a bit before noon
Monday by an Army chaplain and a sergeant major.  "Mr. and Mrs. Hardegree,
the Secretary of the Army sends his deepest regrets...."

Wes told me that their convoy came under small arms fire shortly before the
crash.  The Army says that the incident is still under investigation, so it
may be a while until we know everything that happened that night.  Since
this happened, I have talked to Wes and Mike's platoon sergeant, both of
whom where there, and both of whom are inconsolable over such a heavy loss.

Funeral arrangements are pending because we still do not have an arrival
time in Atlanta for Michael's body.  Wes will escort his friend home and
stay with us throughout this awful thing.

Mike was 21.  He was last home in June.

More later....

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