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SOLDIERContinued from Page iOn Oct 13, another soldier — good friend Jeremiah Sancho, 23, of Palm Bay, Fla. — was a few feet ahead of Senkowski and stepped on the IED. Sancho was killed.Senkowski had been deployed as an Army infantryman since April in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, serving with the3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division.Throughout this experience, Senkowski said, he’s had opportunities to meet amazing people: otherwounded warriors, soldiers, politicians, celebrities and athletes — and even President Barack Obama.Senkowski and his mother. Tamra Rigdon, went to the White House a few weeks ago with a group of wounded warriors.“It was a really neat experience,” Rigdon said. “They lined us all up to take a group picture, and the next thing you know the president walked in. He came up to each of us. Tim introduced himself and then said, ‘Oh, this is my mom.’ Everyone just laughed, and the president said, ‘You don’t have a name?’ 1 said, i’m just mom.’”Rigdon has been by her son’s side since he first arrived at Walter Reed Medical Center. As a licepsed counselor and having come from a military family, Rigdon had already done a lot of therapy for soldiers and their families. But the experience with her son has given her even more perspective and insight. She said she’s also learned a lot about her family’s dedication and strength.Rigdon said visits from family have helped lift her and Senkowski’s spirits at critical times. A recent visit from Senkowski’s wife, Erica, and Rigdon’s husband, JR Rigdon, was great, she said.Rigdon said the best part was that Senkowski and his wife were able to go on a date alone. A nonprofit organization that helps transport the soldiers and their loved ones took the two out.“It was a blast,” Senkowski said. “I loved getting to see her and getting to spend some time alone (with her).”Rigdon’s sister, Kim O'Keefe, and her family also came for a visit.“Spending that time with my sister and nephew was both amazing and eye opening,” O’Keefe said. “Before I went there, I would hear her tell quick stories about their days, but it was so much more than she could even express to me.”O’Keefe said Rigdon is the “strongest, most amazing woman I have ever met,” and added that the work Ridgon does to help take care of Senkowski is non-stop. She said watching Senkowski walk was an amazing experience, as well.o^outfht you just slipped them (the prosthetic legs) on, and off you went,” O’Keefe said. “NotSend help♦ Send letters and cards to Timothy Senkowski at PFC TimothySenkowski, Walter Reed Naval Hospital. PO Box 20085. Bethesda. MD 20889.♦ Donations for Senkowski and his family can be made at any PNC Bank to the Timothy Frank Senkowski fund.♦ More information: Contact his sister, Summer Edgell, at 765-602-9458 or summeredgell@att.net.even close. I watched Tim gingerly explain all that he was feeling and experiencing to my son and even got him laughing quite a fewtimes.“I was initially nervous about what it would be like for me to see Tim or the other soldiers at Walter Reed, but it was surprisingly normal. Just like any other gym with a few more interesting pieces of equipment.”O’Keefe said it was life-changing to see Senkowski work so hard to recover from his injuries.Senkowski misses his fellowr soldiers and is anxious for their return in the coming weeks.“When I see my buddies come home, my tension will be eased because 1 will know my brothers in arms are no longer in harm’s way, he said. “They keep telling me they wish I was back there with them. SoContact Abbey Doyle:640-4805, abbey, doyle® heraldbulletin.com.
Newspaper Details
Anderson Herald Bulletin
Anderson, Indiana, US
Mon, Feb 27, 2012
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anderson P.
Indiana, USA 13 Jan 2020
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