Back from Iraq, must soldier fight for lifetime of care?

Back from Iraq, must soldier fight for lifetime of care?
The wife of U.S. Rep. C.W. Young says America should ensure that incapacitated veterans receive care and compensation.
By PAUL DE LA GARZA, Times Staff Writer
Published September 5, 2004


TAMPA - Pete Herrick seemed to have it all: a wife, two kids, friends, church and a 5-acre Florida spread.

But Herrick worried about the future.

The 34-year-old was a self-employed construction worker, and his retirement plan wasn't particularly strong.

To shore up his finances and help his country, Herrick enlisted in the Naval Reserves in 2001. His wife, Diana, looked at the bright side.

"I thought it was a midlife crisis," she recalled. "At least he's not out with some other woman."

But Herrick was called to active duty in Iraq six months ago. A month after landing in the war zone, his unit was blown up. Five people were killed and several others were injured in the May 2 attack.

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