Now he knows

PIERZ -- Jim Vandenheuvel concedes that when he was a student at Pierz Healy High School, the Veterans Day ceremonies at school each year on Nov. 11 held little meaning for him.

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But today, Veterans Day means so much more to the 24-year-old Pierz man. As a recent veteran of the War in Iraq, he said he feels a sense of brotherhood with other war veterans. He understands what they, too, might have gone through.

The national holiday recognizes the sacrifices that he and many other soldiers have made for their country. It also pays special tribute to all fallen soldiers, including Army Spc. Eric Ramirez, the 31-year-old husband and father of two children who was killed in the same Iraqi ambush that left Vandenheuvel severely injured on Feb. 13.

Jim Vandenheuvel, 24, Pierz, described the severe injuries he suffered during an ambush Feb. 13 while serving in Iraq. His recovery is far from over, but the 1999 Pierz Healy High School graduate has made incredible strides in recent months. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist

Vandenheuvel said he will forever wear the metal bracelet etched with Ramirez's name and the date that he died out of a sense of obligation for his fellow team member. He'll also forever carry within him pieces of shrapnel from the rocket-propelled grenade that nearly cost him his life.

On Feb. 13, Jay and Mary Vandenheuvel, who own a dairy farm in rural Pierz, were told that their son was seriously injured in an ambush while out on patrol outside the Abu Ghraib prison about 20 miles west of Baghdad. The driver, Spc. Eric Ramirez, died at the scene.

Jim Vandenheuvel doesn't remember anything about the attack and has few memories about the three months he spent patrolling outside the Abu Ghraib prison before the attack. Vandenheuvel had been serving with the Minnesota Army National Guard in Camp Ripley before transferring to the California National Guard about three years ago. He graduated from the law enforcement program at Alexandria Technical College in 2001. Vandenheuvel had been in Iraq for 11 months and had about a month left before he and his military unit were to be sent back to California when the convoy he was in came under attack.

Vandenheuvel was the gunner in the second of three armored military Humvees returning from patrol to Abu Ghraib when the attack occurred. Also in the vehicle was his sergeant and team leader, seated in the front passenger seat, and the driver, Spc. Ramirez. They were about 6,000 meters away from the prison when the Humvee was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade.

According to eyewitness accounts, the Humvee was blown off the road. Ramirez was found dead a few feet away and Vandenheuvel was heard moaning inside the vehicle. The only way his fellow soldiers knew it was him was because of his blonde hair. There was blood everywhere. The sergeant suffered minor injuries in the attack.

For several months, Jay and Mary Vandenheuvel weren't sure if their son was going to live. He suffered a fractured skull, a shattered left femur, deep muscle and tissue damage on both legs, facial lacerations and numerous shrapnel wounds. A titanium plate was permanently placed in Jim Vandenheuvel's head because of his severe head trauma. He still has shrapnel in his head and throughout his body that can't be removed. Fortunately, the bulletproof vest he had been wearing helped save his life by protecting his vital organs.

Jim Vandenheuvel, 24, Pierz, described the severe injuries he suffered during an ambush Feb. 13 while serving in Iraq. His recovery is far from over, but the 1999 Pierz Healy High School graduate has made incredible strides in recent months. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist

Vandenheuvel was transferred to various hospitals during this ordeal, from hospitals in Iraq, Kuwait and Germany until he was sent stateside to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Until June, Vandenheuvel spent most of his time on a ventilator because he had problems breathing. In March he suffered a near fatal brain infection. Since Vandenheuvel still wasn't progressing physically and mentally by July -- he wasn't walking and could barely sit up -- medical professionals thought it would be best if he were placed in a nursing home. His parents fought that decision.

"They didn't think there was any hope," said Jay Vandenheuvel. "They didn't think his mind was going to work."

But miraculously after mid-July, Jim Vandenheuvel made many important strides in his recovery, amazing his doctors. A month later he was transferred to the VA Hospital in Minneapolis. He began spending long, excruciating days in physical, occupational and speech therapy. He now walks, with the aid of a cane or walker, but has to wear a left shoe with a large lift because his leg is shorter now. In December or early next year Vandenheuvel will undergo another surgery to straighten and lengthen his left leg. His leg will be cut to correct an internal twist that occurred during the healing process and a rod will be placed in the femur. It will likely take about 60-80 days to lengthen his leg.

Vandenheuvel was finally able to return home to Pierz three weeks ago. He returns to the VA hospital in Minneapolis once a week for therapy. His speech has dramatically improved. He sometimes suffers from short-term memory loss and tries to write down things in his notepad in case he forgets, but even that is improving every day, he said.

"It's totally amazing how far he's come," said Mary Vandenheuvel. "Back in June I would have never thought he'd walk as good as he does on his own, feeding himself, all this. I never thought it would happen. I'm very proud of him. He's a strong man, he's a fighter. He's got determination. He's not one to give up easily on something like that. That's what did it. His power of determination and the gift of God."

"He's a hero," said his father, Jay. "He survived it and he did what he had to do."

Jim Vandenheuvel, 24, Pierz, described the severe injuries he suffered during an ambush Feb. 13 while serving in Iraq. His recovery is far from over, but the 1999 Pierz Healy High School graduate has made incredible strides in recent months. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist

Jim Vandenheuvel said he is hopeful that he'll soon be able to return to California to reunite with the soldiers in his National Guard unit. His official discharge papers should arrive later this month, but he wants to see his friends.

"They're like family," said Vandenheuvel. "I love them. I want to shake their hands and give them hugs."

Vandenheuvel said he gets angry when he watches television news reports from Iraq about other soldiers dying or becoming injured in the fighting. Like him, he said they are simply soldiers who are taking orders.

"We're over there for a stupid reason and people are dying for no reason," said Vandenheuvel. "It's pathetic. It tears a person apart. I was just a regular person. I was going to college. I was deployed to Iraq. This war is stupid but I did what I was told to do."

His mother said it was hard to see the many wounded soldiers who were sent to Walter Reed for rehabilitation. She spent the entire eight months of his hospital recovery by her son's side.

"It was really sad because not all the soldiers had family there," said Mary Vandenheuvel. "It was hard to see all the injured soldiers and see what they have to go through because of the war."

Jim Vandenheuvel had wanted to become a State Patrol trooper or a police officer but it is unlikely he'll be able to because of his injuries. Still, he is hopeful he may someday work in law enforcement.

Other miracles have happened. It wasn't long ago that doctors weren't sure he would survive his injuries.

JODIE TWEED, staff writer, can be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or (218) 855-5858.