AJC.com > Iraq coverage > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIs it going to hurt?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Forward Operating Base Michael, Iraq — The big, burly soldiers wielding rifles appeared frightened as they lined up at the door to the medical aid station.
They didn’t want what was waiting for them inside.
Needles.
Louie Favorite/AJC
Spc. Jennifer Rhodes, a pre-nursing student from Macon, gives a flu shot to SSGT John Lovett Dykes Jr., a 59-year-old retired schoolteacher from Waynesboro, in the aid station at FOB St. Michael.
It was time for their flu shots.
But would it hurt? Would they bleed? What allergies must they have to be excused from this shot?
“The bigger they are, the worse it is,� Spc. Jennifer Rhodes, 21, a nursing college student from Macon, said as she administered dozens of the shots.
Most soldiers dealt with the needles just fine. But a few resisted slightly.
“Let him go first,� Spc. Walter Marion said, jerking his thumb at his friend.
When it was his time for the shot, Marion scooted away from Rhodes. She pulled him back by his arm.
“Are you going to swell my arm up?� Marion asked. “I don’t like no shots.�
Marion closed his eyes tight and winced as she pricked him.
“Is that blood running down my arm? Oh, Jesus,� said Marion, 29, a police officer from Dublin.
Rhodes and her colleague, Spc. Courtney Burgwald, 22, of Hiram, decided to have a little fun. They attached a two-inch long needle to a syringe full of lemon-lime Gatorade. They set aside the much smaller flu needles.
“They would be like, ‘No, no. The small one. What happened to the small one?’â€? Rhodes said.
Burgwald smiled and said: “You have to have fun somehow.�
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Keri Burgwald
October 10, 2005 07:47 AM | Link to this
Courtney is my daughter and I have to say it’s good to hear she’s able to have a bit of fun between mortar attacks. Way to go Bean!
By Deana Thompson
October 10, 2005 02:46 PM | Link to this
SHAME ON YOU SPC.RHODES AND SPC.BURGWALD.You know you need an 18 gage and you will make them all hit the floor.Just kidding you guys are great I am a ten year flight medic and I love to hear stories like this.It is such a contrast to see some of the bravest human beings on earth afraid of a needle.I got my PA degree through the military and I am well aware of the fun you can have.Keep up the great work ALL of you and GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!!!
By Beryle
October 11, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this
Since Burgwald is my granddaughter I would have like her picture also, but I loved the spoof. Way to go ladies! G-1
By Debbie Rhodes
October 12, 2005 03:54 PM | Link to this
Jennifer is my daughter-in-law and this doesn’t surprise me at all. We call her our little angel/brat. She is the greatest and we are so proud of her and our son, Alan, who is also in Iraq. They say the first year of marriage is the hardest. Well, Alan and Jennifer really understand that because they’re spending their first year of marriage in Iraq.
By mike cohen
October 13, 2005 12:54 PM | Link to this
First of all let me say “GOD BLESS AMERCIA AND OUR TROOPS”.i have emailed jennifer rhode’s husband named alan rhodes from effingaham county in southeast ga .his father works at a golf shop in pooler ga .i got his email and emailed him my best wishes and my support.our troops needs to hear from us more then ever before to let them know we support them to the hilt.i wish them all a speedy trip home when the JOB IS DONE!!!!!THANK YOU MIKE COHEN SAV GA
By Carol (MOM)
October 15, 2005 06:56 PM | Link to this
This is our daughter and we are so proud of her. She has always lived life to the fullest and always enjoyed a challange. We are so proud of you and your GREAT hubby. We can’t wait until you come home. WE LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
LOVE, MOM. DAD and JAKE