IED plants

Today, more of the same. Insurgents were caught red-handed planting IED's. The Iraqi Army shot through the vehicle, and brought the casualties to us. We couldn't believe our eyes when one of the insurgents was a 12 year old boy. He sustained a serious GSW to his left foot, and we took him back to the OR for a washout and evaluation. He lost his pedal pulse, but still had posterior tibialis circulation. A good portion of his foot was tore apart---and reconstuction is beyond our capacity. So we placed a cast after the washout, and he will go to the Level III detainee hospital this evening.....the question that begs to be asked is: Why is a child placing IED's!!!!! We will never know his individual story, but the possibilities are both varied and frustrating. Was he coerced by family or friends? Is this something he believes is right? Is he in it to get paid? We are just lucky to catch him before his actions take the lives of those who patrol to keep him and us safe......
Another insurgent had massive thoracic trauma----chest tube placement quickly became a trauma bay thoracotomy with open heart massage----no good, he passed. May whatever God he worships have mercy on his soul.....