Injured Marine says US bringing 'positive change' to Iraq

Sergeant Andrew Robinson, a courageous retired Iraq war veteran, continues to support the war despite the serious injury he sustained during his second tour of duty in June of 2006.

While Robinson and his comrades were driving their Humvee on the outskirts of Fallujah, a roadside bomb was detonated. Three American soldiers died.

“I broke my vertebrae at the C6 level, which is pretty high up in your neck,” explained Robinson. This injury left impairment to his arms and legs.

“The trauma to my spinal cord has left me paralyzed from the chest down,” he said, “and the muscles in my arms are paralyzed.”

Robinson was hospitalized for several months and underwent numerous surgeries. Regardless of his medical situation, he said if he had to do it all over again, he would still be a Marine and fight the war until the United States reached victory.

A New Jersey native, Robinson joined the Marine Corps in 2001 and was based at Camp Pendleton. His expertise in the Marines was utilized in the position of counterintelligence specialist and interrogator.

When Congress talks about pulling out the troops, Robinson becomes frustrated.

“The war can be won and we need to stabilize the government,” Robinson asserts. While he is well aware that Congress wants to keep their constituents happy, he says if the military is removed too prematurely, he will worry about the ramifications.

Robinson is concerned that the dangerous threat that exists in Iraq will peak once again with continued terrorist training and funds for terrorist networks will increase.

Robinson recently had friends return from their tours of duty in Iraq. “They’re saying that progress is being made,” he said.

His comrades say improvements are evident in the Iraqi police and army. Tribe activity, as well, has been noticeable and changes for the better are noted. He said tribal leaders are now accepting responsibility for insurgent activity. If a member of a tribe is causing havoc, tribal leaders go to coalition forces for assistance.

“ are just tired of the violence,” noted Robinson.

Americans are accustomed to things being done in a quick manner. Robinson says a “drive-thru” mentality does not pertain to war, that “war takes time.”

“I want to come home as soon as possible, but I also want them to be able to do their job, and they want the same thing,” he said.

Robinson believes media coverage concerning the war has been imbalanced. He says the media has focused on the negative aspects of the war, since it grabs the attention of their viewers, and has neglected to broadcast the positive changes in Iraq, such as new schools and hospitals that are being erected and water treatment facilities being built.

Robinson says viewers have not seen how some towns are now void of insurgent activity or how Marines are able to fight off a major insurgent attack without injuries or fatalities. “That does not get covered at all,” he said.

Robinson said the military “has been known to ignore the media, because the soldiers know the real truth.”

This veteran yearns to let Americans know that Iraq is not just a place where service members return deceased, injured or mentally incapacitated.

“Iraq is a place where we are making progress,” Robinson insists. His views have been broadcasted on major networks and aired in 20 states. This has been funded by a nonprofit group. Audio from the televised commercial have been used for radio broadcasting as well.

Robinson resides with his wife, Sara, in Oceanside. He says he is determined to continue to make his voice be heard. He wants the United States to be safe, and to make it safe, the war “needs to be fought to the very end.”

“There is a reason for us to be there,” he said.

Want to help Sgt. Robinson?

Sgt. Andrew Robinson has some extensive medical needs. Donations to his trust fund can be mailed to: Sgt. Andrew Robinson Trust Fund, PO Box 9941, Trenton, NJ 08650.