NationStates Jolt Archive


The saddest/most infuriating story I have ever heard!

Soviet Narco State
13-12-2004, 09:04
In case you don't feel like reading the whole article, an american GI is wounded in Iraq, and the doctors tell him they can either cut off his wedding ring or cut off his finger. The guy choses his finger, so they cut off his finger and then the moron doctor LOSES THE WEDDING RING! Holy malpractice!

Marine sacrifices finger to save wedding ring

VICTORVILLE, California (AP) -- When Marine Lance Cpl. David Battle learned he'd either have to sacrifice his ring finger or the wedding band he wore, he told doctors at a field hospital in Iraq to cut off the finger.

The 19-year-old suffered a mangled left hand and serious wounds to his legs in a November 13 fire fight in Falluja. Battle, who is recovering at his parents' home in this desert city 130 kilometers (80 miles) northeast of Los Angeles, came under attack as he and fellow Marines entered a building. Eleven other Marines were wounded.

Doctors were preparing to cut off Battle's ring to save as much of his finger as they could.

"But that would mean destroying my wedding ring," he said. "My wife is the strongest woman I know. She's basically running two people's lives since I've been gone. I don't think I could ever repay her or show her how grateful ... how much I love my wife, my soul mate."

With his approval, doctors severed his finger, but somehow in the chaos that followed, they lost his ring.

Although Battle was disappointed, his wife, Devon, said she was honored.

"I can't believe he did that," she said. "At first I was mad when he told me, but then I realized how lucky I am to have him in my life."

The couple, who met in the eighth grade, were married in June, just two weeks before Battle left for Iraq. He hopes to eventually return to the Marines, and to replace his wedding ring, but that will have to wait until he recovers.
Lunatic Goofballs
13-12-2004, 13:45
All I'm going to say is that it's a good thing we don't wear wedding rings on our penises. :eek:
Legless Pirates
13-12-2004, 13:46
All I'm going to say is that it's a good thing we don't wear wedding rings on our penises. :eek:
No lesbian marriages, no bride kising the bride :(
Jeff-O-Matica
13-12-2004, 13:51
This is an interesting story. I would not put as much importance on a material thing such as a wedding ring as I would put on a finger. If they were just going to leave a nub of a finger, though, it doesn't seem to make much difference about saving it. Therefore, I would say to save the ring. Given that the ring was lost, however, I would want some sort of compensation. The government should replace the ring for the soldier.
ProMonkians
13-12-2004, 14:49
What the Marine doesn't is that the wife back home is having an affair with his best mate.
Armed Bookworms
13-12-2004, 15:16
If that is the saddest story you've heard then you're pretty damned innocent.
Legless Pirates
13-12-2004, 15:17
Bush got reelected!
Mayham Naja
13-12-2004, 15:34
This is a sad story. :(
Bush got reelected!


Now about the Marine (which is also a bit tragic)...that would piss me off if they had lost my ring. Bet it wasn't lost. I really wouldn't hold any doubt that a doctor or nurse stole it. Things like that happen more often than people think. When my mother was in the hospital and under sedation, her check book and Visa card was stolen. :mad: He should most definently be compensated for the loss of his ring AND his finger since he had them cut the finger to save the ring but, hey wait, NO RING!
Dukemolay
13-12-2004, 15:45
:headbang: What an idiot. Screw the wedding ring. That is exactly what is wrong with this country. I hope his wife is cheating on him. In fact, how can I help make that happen?
Nsendalen
13-12-2004, 15:54
OK, so let's review:

He could either keep his finger, lose the ring, buy another ring.

or

Lose the finger, keep the ring.

And he chose the LATTER?!

Good grief. It's a piece of metal. Sentimental value or not, it'll always lose out (if it were me making the choice) to a part of my body.
Bootlickers
13-12-2004, 16:03
He cuts off his finger, now he has no place for a ring. Am I missing something?
Nsendalen
13-12-2004, 16:11
No, but he is!

Thank you thank you, I'm here all week.

*walks off stage as audience readies fruit*
Bootlickers
13-12-2004, 18:48
Why do I feel like Dean Martin?
The Mycon
13-12-2004, 20:46
Two factors I wonder about...
1: How hard would it have been to weld two small pieces of soft metal together?
2: Would that finger, which is already pretty useless to be honest, still been functional/intact if he had chose the other option?

If this story had mentioned something like "in our family for x generations," then it wouldn't seem stupid. If the answer to question #2 had been along the lines of "the first bone'd still be there, but nothing else," then it wouldn't seem stupid.

Now, on the other hand, yes, this seems stupid.
Pibb Xtra
13-12-2004, 20:53
All I'm going to say is that it's a good thing we don't wear wedding rings on our penises. :eek:

You mean we don't! uh... be back later
Refused Party Program
13-12-2004, 21:04
Now, on the other hand, yes, this seems stupid.

You just couldn't help yourself, could you?
Tactical Grace
13-12-2004, 21:42
I think we can all agree - what a pillock. :rolleyes: