However, his recuperation itinerary has been altered.
Walter Reed Army Hospital, outside of Washington, will not be his next stop.
His father said the change had nothing to do with the recently discovered problems at the hospital but rather because of a communication error.
Ft. Carson Next
Culver City police Lt. Greg Smith said that after a telephone conversation at 3 this morning with his son, the family expects Andrew to be transferred directly to his military base, Ft. Carson in Colorado, later this week.
Pfc. Smith’s wounds, suffered on Thursday, March 1, near Ramadi, are described as “moderate” although the soldier himself says his lower injuries are more painful than they were in the beginning.
He was shot 3 times on a patrol outing, once through his left hand and twice in the legs.
Examination
When Pfc. Smith, 20 years old, lands at Ft. Carson, he will be attended by a specialist from the nearby Air Force Academy. The doctor will make a determination about surgery.
“We are not sure how long Andrew will be in Colorado,” his father, Lt. Smith, said.
A Feeling of Relief
“But I can tell you we feel a lot better than we did last week.”
The soldier’s parents will fly to Colorado for a reunion this week — as soon as he arrives.
Pfc. Smith’s Army unit had been in Iraq since last October. He was scheduled to be rotated out of the country this week for a visit with his family.
