Woman enlists in the Army to take her wounded husband’s place
posted at 9:50 am on December 10, 2007 by Bryan
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More than a year after Spc. Alejandro Albarran lost part of his right leg in an explosion in Iraq, he still hasn’t decided whether he’ll stay in the Army.
“Right now, I’m leaning against it,” said the 20-year-old infantryman, looking ahead with distaste to a possible desk job.
Whatever he decides, he won’t be leaving Army life behind — because his wife has enlisted to take his place in uniform.
“After everything he’s gone through — and he loves the Army — he kind of inspired me,” said Janay Albarran. “I made him a promise that I would finish what he started.”
While he underwent five-day-a-week rehabilitation to recover his balance and strength on a prosthetic leg at an Army rehabilitation facility in San Antonio, she was in boot camp at Fort Jackson, S.C., learning to shoot a rifle and stand in formation.
Note that Alejandro is leaning against remaining in the Army because he doesn’t want to be stuck to a desk job.
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This is the new Greatest Generation.
Jezla on December 10, 2007 at 9:56 AM
God bless this couple. I hope they both have long and successful lives, and raise a bunch of children just like them!
gajaw999 on December 10, 2007 at 10:04 AM
‘Words fail me’ – amen to that! (that musta been one strong onion I was cutting this morning)
Limerick on December 10, 2007 at 10:04 AM
Bryan I don’t know where we find such people. And I don’t know we are worthy of such people either. We are asking so much from them and they keep giving it.
bnelson44 on December 10, 2007 at 10:13 AM
It’s good to know that in our time of mainstream media bias and liberal public school indoctrination young Americans still can see the truth of the uniqueness of our country and believe it is something worth fighting for.
Kahuna on December 10, 2007 at 10:14 AM
He wouldn’t necessarily have to take a desk job; I’m sure I’ve heard of a Delta trooper, or Navy SEAL still operating with a prosthetic leg.
But what awesome people!
Frozen Tex on December 10, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Wow. What can you say about this couple? God bless them both. Amazing.
robblefarian on December 10, 2007 at 10:16 AM
Where do we find such people?
Certainly not in any of the dark holes where Democrats hang out! The “rats” simply can’t relate to people like this. God bless them both and keep them safe.
highhopes on December 10, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Wow, about the time I start feeling really down about the course of this country, I read something really inspiring about real Americans.
Thanks Bryan
conservnut on December 10, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Amazing.
This was on our local papers front page.
http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/army_15432___article.html/albarran_janay.html
Kai on December 10, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Great couple, God Bless them.
aclark on December 10, 2007 at 10:27 AM
What will the people who say all those that enlist in the Army do so out of wishing to obtain tuition fall back on now?
Ryan Gandy on December 10, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Dammit Bryan, quit posting things that put me at risk of tearing up at work.
MadisonConservative on December 10, 2007 at 10:36 AM
That’s really touching.
aengus on December 10, 2007 at 10:37 AM
That’s awesome. Bows and applause to both of these courageous Americans! A real man, and a real woman. Second that hope that they have lots of kids and raise em all like them!
inviolet on December 10, 2007 at 10:39 AM
True Americans, these two. I hope Alejandro decides to stay in…he’d make a great recruiter, classroom instructor for new recruits, anything where he can make an impression on the new guys.
flipflop on December 10, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Thanks Bryan. I’m tearing up a bit. I’m done with all news sites for the rest of the day. Might as well leave on a good note for a change.
Canadian Infidel on December 10, 2007 at 11:04 AM
Where do we find such people?
They’re around. In every town and city. You simply don’t know it because these kinds of decisions are made privately, usually after much soul searching and deliberation. They are not made from behind a banner or under a sign.
This story has really started my day off in a positive direction.
Thanks, Bryan.
MikeZero on December 10, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Warriors.
Vizzini on December 10, 2007 at 11:14 AM
Great people doing great work for a great country.
.
GT on December 10, 2007 at 11:45 AM
I can’t wait for the movie. YEAH RIGHT.
RobCon on December 10, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Holy smokes! I didn’t know they made people like this any more. Nearly brings tears to the eyes.
petefrt on December 10, 2007 at 11:47 AM
I say quit the Army and get on the lecture circuit. If Al Gore’s buzz kill tour yields him $100,000 per event, I wonder what an inspriational tour of veterans would yield?
budorob on December 10, 2007 at 12:03 PM
Better people than I could ever hope to be.
Kini on December 10, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Okay, cold hearted, but you have to laugh at those lines.
right2bright on December 10, 2007 at 12:29 PM
As the tears well up, I’d say they are Heaven sent.
Zorro on December 10, 2007 at 12:31 PM
I suck.
CurtZHP on December 10, 2007 at 12:32 PM
I completely agree with our mission in Iraq, but I can honestly say I would not have done the same as she has. There are patriots and then there are those that are a cut above the rest. Thank G-d for the Albarrans.
Jim-Rose on December 10, 2007 at 12:54 PM
They are our betters, all our Soldiers.
I love it when HA’s commenters’, especially the male ones’ strong emotions well up.
Entelechy on December 10, 2007 at 1:34 PM
People like Alejandro and Janay Albarran make me proud to be an American. Okay, even more proud to be an American. HOOAH!
ReubenJCogburn on December 10, 2007 at 2:07 PM
Thank you Bryan for posting this. So often when I see the far-left going off I get frustrated. And I realy wonder about the future of this place. Where they’re trying to take us. Then something like this comes along. And I feel better about the outlook.
PowWow on December 10, 2007 at 2:29 PM
My tear ducts almost exploded just reading the headline.
TheSitRep on December 10, 2007 at 3:31 PM
They are our heros and they come from all over our country.
And I support them whenever I can. Even if they just want to be Miss America. And Sgt Jill Stevens is not just a pretty face. She can shoot, she can heal, she can bake and she has served in a combat zone.
WildBillK on December 10, 2007 at 3:33 PM
Makes me feel ashamed of myself and o, so small.
SIJ6141 on December 10, 2007 at 4:31 PM
People like this aren’t found. They happen. They are forged in the crucible of collecitve life experience. God bless you both, Mr. and Mrs. Albarran.
gryphon202 on December 10, 2007 at 5:15 PM
My hope and faith in America is renewed every day, but even moreso today. These are the role models we need to see on TV.
Thank you for your service!
SouthernGent on December 10, 2007 at 6:24 PM
I’m reminded of what the ancient Spartan women would traditionally say to their husbands or sons as they departed for war, “Come back with your shield or on it.”
.
(The Spartan-style shield was too big and heavy to run away from a fight with. So, to retain one’s shield, a Spartan soldier had to stand and fight with it. If he was killed, his body was brought home to his family strapped onto the shield.)
DavePa on December 10, 2007 at 11:03 PM
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