Pfc's Duncan Crookston and Joseph Mixson

On this Veterans Day, there are two soldiers who can especially use our quiet prayers. They are Duncan Crookston and Joseph Mixson. These soldiers were gravely wounded on September 4 in an EFP attack that also claimed three lives of soldiers in the 2-16.

The photo on the left is of Duncan Crookston who according to this story in Stars and Stripes: "was badly burned and sustained significant injuries. Both of his legs were amputated, along with his right arm and left hand, and 75 percent of his body was left severely burned." God bless you and your family, Pfc Crookston. May angels surround you and give you strength.

In the photo on the right, Joseph Mixson (on the left) is pictured with Spc. David Lane and Pfc. Kurtiss Baumgartner having a laugh before going on patrol in east Baghdad. Spc. Lane was killed in the attack of September 4. Pfc Mixson lost both legs at the knees. God bless you and your family, Pfc Mixson. May you receive excellent care at the hands of skillful surgeons.

A grateful nation pauses today and gives thanks for your service.

According to the Stars and Stripes article, "all of the men were with the 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, based in Fort Riley, Kan.

The brigade did not exist before the U.S. troop 'surge,' and was, in fact, created specifically out of the order to push 30,000 more troops into Iraq earlier this year."

The "surge" is working, by all accounts. These men have sacrificed so much in contribution to the mission. May their brothers in arms who are still in Iraq now proceed to victory.