Our Sons Are Surviving In The Streets Of The Inner Cities And Surviving On The Roads Of Afghanistan

James’ son injured in Afghanistan
by Wayne Woolley/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday June 11, 2008, 6:43 AM

Two New Jersey Army National Guard soldiers, including a son of former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, are recovering from minor injuries suffered in an attack in Afghanistan on May 30, officials with the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs said.
”Two of our soldiers have been injured,” said Lt. Col. James Garcia, a state military spokesman.”One of those soldiers went back to duty almost immediately, the other needed to be checked out further, but will return to duty.”
Officials identified the soldier who returned to duty as Capt. Ian Cairns of East Brunswick and the other as Maj. John James of Newark.
A military source said the men were in a Humvee that was hit by a makeshift bomb constructed by insurgents. The officers are part of a team of 16 New Jersey National Guard troops who left in December for a year-long tour to train the Afghan Army.
Garcia said military doctors were able to treat both men at medical facilities in Afghanistan.
Military officials said John James, an infantry officer, suffered a wound to his hand.
His father, who will be sentenced on federal corruption charges next month, was not available Tuesday night. The soldier’s mother, Mary James, said her son was “doing as well as can be expected.”
She said her son’s injuries were not severe enough for him to be sent home before his duty termends.
”If he comes home, it will be to visit or because the war is over,” she said. “Everybody talks about Iraq, but Afghanistan is a dangerous place, too.”

John James is our hero and we’re happy he survived his injuries.