Soldier Aaron Deans shot by Taliban but refuses to fly home

Nov 3 2009 The Journal

After his operation, the trooper was told he was booked on a plane to return to the United Kingdom.

But the Washington man said: “I only had three weeks to wait and I wanted to go back with everyone else. I’ve spent the whole tour with them and I want to finish it with them as well.”

He lifted his shirt to reveal two fresh pink scars, the entry and exit wounds.

Trooper Deans said: “I’m lucky because of how close it was to my spine. It missed all my bones and organs. And I’m lucky it didn’t ricochet and tear the inside of us up. And I’m lucky with (the bullet that hit) the headrest.

“I’m unlucky that I got shot, but lucky that it wasn’t in the face.”

He was also unlucky because it was the last patrol the squadron took part in on their tour.

Trooper Deans, who is now undergoing physiotherapy, said the wound is still painful. However, doctors expect him to make a full recovery because he is young and fit.

He said his parents Janet, 50, who works in the civil service, and Brian, 60, a driver for a courier firm, were “annoyed” that he didn’t come home straight away but are relieved he is safe.

And they are looking forward to seeing him after he returns home at the end of the tour, with his friends and colleagues, on Saturday.