Mark Millican
markmillican@daltoncitizen.com
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U.S. Marine Joey Jones continues his slow improvement toward recovery from losing both legs to an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Afghanistan, but now he’s dealing with fresher wounds — the loss of two comrades in the southwest Asian country where American forces experienced a grueling month of fatalities in August.
Jones, a 2004 graduate of Southeast High School and Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician who is in the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., is “doing well” although still enduring a lot of pain, said his sister, Marsha Jones. But now an even greater pain — emotional and mental grief — has been added to his physical injuries.
“His master gunnery sergeant was killed over there last week, I believe it was, and one of his really close friends was also killed,” she relayed. “He’s really taken that hard, really hard. You know how that is — it’s your family — and it’s really tough for him. And he’s still having nightmares and stuff like that, just dealing with everything.”
Jones said her brother has begun the process of skin grafting on his legs.
“His left leg is completely closed up now, but the right leg still has a drain tube in it,” she said. “They’re still having to go in every two days and wash out the wounds. They have done two extensive surgeries on his right arm where they’ve put a rod on the radius (bone) and the other where they were taking care of the tendon, because the tendons were wrapped around where they connect in the wrist.”
Jones is scheduled to begin occupational therapy on his arms soon, most likely at a facility in Virginia, before he tries to walk again.
“They’re doing his arms first so he’ll be able to catch himself when he falls while trying to learn to walk,” said Marsha Jones. “He’s being fitted for prosthetics now and doing physical therapy each day.”
And, oh yes, he received his Purple Heart medal during a simple ceremony last week. Marsha Jones took a break from her phone interview to get the latest from her mother, who called in on her cell phone.
“They did make braces for his arms today,” she said upon returning. “He does not have any more drain tubes (in his arms), they took those out when they did surgery on him Monday. They made braces for his arms so he will be able to get into a wheelchair soon. They’re having a real hard time controlling his pain because his metabolism is so high. That’s the other thing he’s struggling with.”
She said support from the Dalton area for her wounded brother has been “incredible.”
“Here in Dawnville the community support is incredible,” she said. “But not just in Dawnville, he has impacted people all over the world. The whole city of Dalton, what they’re trying to do is incredible, and it’s not at our request. Our hearts are overwhelmed with the support from everyone. Joey has always been a giver and to see a country come together and give back is heartwarming and comforting during this time.”
She expressed a concern about a comment she had read in the “Today’s Forum” section of The Daily Citizen.
“I read where one of the readers was under the impression that the military was not going to take care of Joey’s medical expenses,” she noted. “I am not sure where that came from but the Marines are certainly taking care of that. The benefit (fundraisers) that are going on are for the remodeling and building of the home, so that when he comes home he will be comfortable and be able to be independent and live a full life. He is a daddy and he has sacrificed so much time already. We would like to make it just a little easier on him with handicap-accessible features.”
Jones featured on national news show
Jones is featured prominently in a CBS Evening News video clip on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). To find the four-minute clip, go to www.cbsnews.com/sections/eveningnews/main3420.shtml and click on the “Afghanistan: The Road Ahead” link, then scroll down to the “Afghanistan’s Most Dangerous Job: Finding IEDs” video. He is called Johnny Jones in the video.
Fundraisers set up
A handful of benefit fundraisers for Jones have been set up in the area.
On Sunday evening at the Dalton Depot Restaurant and Trackside Tavern at 110 Depot St., there will be two bands performing and donations will be taken to help cover the costs of structural changes to his home. Admission is $10, and advance tickets are on sale. For more information call Drew Callaway at (706) 280-9374 or Brooke Callaway at (706) 847-8414.
Peak Fitness of Dalton at 1021 Riverburch Parkway will be raising money for Jones on Labor Day. Any non-member who works out at Peak Fitness will be putting their guest fee of $8 toward the Joey Jones Benefit Fund. Peak will also be offering special “boot camp style” classes to members and non-members for a donation. The classes will be from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information call (706) 529-7867.
A fund to help with Jones’ medical expenses has been set up at Regions Bank branches in the area. Donations may also be mailed to Regions Bank, 509 S. Thornton Ave., Dalton GA 30720, earmarked “Joey Jones Fund.”
