Amputees struggle to return to duty (11/30/04)

Amputees struggle to return to duty
Precedent-wary Army must weigh capability
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
By David Wood
Newhouse News Service
Chuck Bartles took heart when President Bush pinned a Purple Heart to his chest this year, lauding him for courage and determination despite grievous wounds.

Sgt. Bartles, then struggling to recover from having his right arm blown off in Iraq, felt even better when Bush walked out of the hospital ward and made a stirring speech.


Just because a soldier has lost a leg or an arm in combat, the president said, doesn't mean he's useless. "People are no longer forced out of the military," he declared to applause. "Today, if wounded service members want to remain in uniform and can do the job, the military tries to help them stay."

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