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Recording History - Part XIII - Jason and Lindsey

By Richard S. Lowry

December 12, 2004 changed Jason and Lindsey Arellano’s lives forever. U.S. Marine Sergeant Jason R Arellano, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, Kilo Company, 2nd Platoon’s third squad leader found himself in Iraq for the second time. He had last seen American soil on September 11, 2004, leaving his loved ones in prayer and anticipation. Jason and Lindsey recently shared the following write-up with me after I contacted him to request an interview for my book. Jason told me that they wanted to write it all down before the memories faded. Hopefully, they will gather other stories of that fateful day and publish a book of their own. No doubt, I will tell Sergeant Jason Arellano’s story, but this poignant tale will be left for their telling.

This story is one that is not often told. Everyone knows of the heroism of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines in far off lands, but few take the time to consider how difficult it is for loved ones waiting at home. Jason is a hero, but it is Lindsey’s story that will touch you. On December 12, 2004, Jason and Lindsey already knew that they were meant to be together, but neither could have ever contemplated how this day would change their lives.

Please take a few moments to read about December 12, 2004, captured in Jason and Lindsey’s own words.

Richard S. Lowry is the author of Marines in the Garden of Eden and The Gulf War Chronicles.

It had only been a few months since his departure and already 3rd Squad had accomplished so much. On the morning of December 12th they had moved from the western part of the city known as the Jolan District to the eastern part of the city known as east Manhattan to the Marines. This was not just any city; it was known as Iraq’s most dangerous city and quickly became a major battleground of the Iraqi insurgency, Al Fallujah. Arellano was part of the offensive, better known as Operation Phantom Fury, which had begun just one month earlier in a maze of houses and alleys. At this point, Third Battalion of the Fighting Fifth had already suffered ten Marines who had paid the ultimate sacrifice. The next eleven days of fierce battle would almost double that number.

Third Squad had reached a house in east Manhattan just north of highway 10, which is the same highway that four American contractors from a Blackwater Security Consulting Company had been brutally murdered. Two of these contractors mutilated, charred bodies were later hung from a bridge that crossed the Euphrates on the west side of town. Shortly after noon, the squad received word that they were done clearing houses for now and were to set up a defensive position in a school less than 300-400 meters to the north. Third Platoon was still clearing in zone just to 2nd Platoon’s left from south to north. The Marines had done this many times before, setting up positions in various locations. Surrounded by his closest friends, Arellano and his fellow Marines patrolled the street heading west; hit the corner, and proceeded northward. As soon as the group arrived at the school, Arellano along with Sergeant Coduto, Corporal Herren, and the platoon commander Lieutenant Moulder went to the roof to get orientated. The days had been warm but the nights were very cold, so the Marines moved south to gather some blankets. Arellano and his fellow Marines hadn’t been at the school for five minutes when gunfire erupted nearby.

The gunfire started to escalate. Arellano told the guys, “that’s our Marines in contact” and ran straight to the fight. He ran past Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV’s) and CAAT HMMWVs, pointing and yelling for them to turn around. As he got to the corner, he saw Lance Corporal Layer being pulled out from a courtyard. As Arellano approached, Layer informed him that he had been shot and said that there were more guys inside the house; friendly and foe. This is the house where Corporal Ian W. Stewart was mortally wounded. By now, Arellano was pumped. Marines to his north were shooting down from their rooftop positions. He caught the attention of Corporal Clairday by yelling at the top of his lungs, “Where are they at, Clairday?” Clairday pointed downward and continued to fire onto the rooftop and into the alley bellow, Arellano would later find out his good friend Corporal Jason S. Clairday was killed in action along with Lance Corporal Hilario F. Lopez.

So, for Sergeant Arellano this it were it began. After teaming up with other Leathernecks to clear a couple of houses, passing dead insurgents and wounded Marines, the Kilo Marines continued in the attack. Arellano ran out of one courtyard into the street. He quickly moved along the wall to enter the gate. He saw a Marine laying on the ground and wondered why there was no Corpsman aiding him. Gunfire continued to erupt and Arellano realized that Sergeant Jeffry L. Kirk was already gone.

Arellano continued to the roof to link up with his platoon commander. Moulder ordered him into the house next door where there were more insurgents. Arellano understood what had to be done, but he was concerned about his men. The Sergeant took a moment to scan the scene, searching for his squad. Lt. Moulder, thinking Arellano had not heard his order, told him again to get into that house. Marines were everywhere. Arellano turned, “You, you, you and you, come with me.”

The Marines hurried down the stairs to assault the neighboring house. By now, one of the CAAT HMMWV’s had turned and was parked in the street. Arellano checked to make sure that no Marines were inside the house, and then he told the CAAT gunner to pepper the house with 40mm grenades. The gunner opened fire with his MK19 automatic grenade launcher. Thunk, thunk, thunk, thunk. The grenades slammed into the building.

Arellano and his Marines followed the grenades into the courtyard. It was just after three o’clock. Lance Corporal William “red neck” Lenard and Arellano made their entry to the house and both threw grenades into opposite rooms. Realizing there were only four Marines present, the two yelled for more support. Arellano was first to approach the stairs when another Sergeant told him that he had seen an insurgent on the second floor through a window. Arellano moved toward the stairwell on which Staff Sergeant Melvin L. Blazer, husband and father of two, had just been mortally wounded. M16 pointed up, Arellano began to climb the stairs – backwards. Another Marine followed and threw a grenade up top. As soon as that grenade went off, Arellano went up and toward the path of least resistance. Another Marine followed directly behind Arellano.

***
December 12, 2004 in Kansas City was a crisp cool day. It had been a little over a week since there had been contact with Jason, which at this point was normal. Lindsey carried the phone in her pocket 24/7 and was hopeful to hear from him today. It was Sunday and if he called it was almost always on a Sunday. It was a blessing that they had communicated this much. She had feared it would be like Jason’s last deployment. During his first tour in Iraq, hand written letters were the only way to stay in touch. It took weeks to receive them. This time was different, not only was he able to call more often but email was accessible as well. It was much easier to work through the thought of eight months apart one week at a time. And each day was one day closer to seeing him again. Today began just like every day, in prayer for Jason. Reading through Psalms, Lindsey received renewed strength and faith that God was sovereign. But today, her heart was heavy. Extra heavy and she spent extra time in prayer and journaling. Throughout the day she could not get Jason off of her mind.

***
On the other side of the world, Jason and the other Marine pressed forward, moving past a doorway on their right and toward the room straight ahead. The two men moved swiftly. Smoke filled the house from the previous grenades and rounds chipping at the walls, but objects were still visible. Once the pair made entry, Arellano shot areas where the insurgent could be hiding. Bullets ripped into each corner of the room, through a bed, and splintered a row of standup wooden dressers. The Marines shouted “Clear left! Clear Right! Room Clear!” Nada!

Arellano grabbed a grenade to throw into the room the two men had just run past. He shouted to the Marines making their way up the stairway what he was about to do, however another Marine shouted back that he was coming into Arellano’s room. Arellano, grenade in hand, made way for him. As the Marine rushed past the open room, he threw his own grenade into the other room.

“Frag out!”

Arellano’s pin was already pulled from his grenade. Once the other Marine was safely in his room, Arellano tossed his grenade into the back of the other room. Arellano screamed “Frag out!” only 2 to 3 seconds after the first grenade.

Arellano was sure that the guys outside were unaware that two grenades had been thrown into the room. The three Marines scrambled for cover and backed away from the doorway. Once a grenade detonates, the Marines are trained to rush into the smoke filled room to finish off their adversaries. Arellano feared that the Marines on the stairwell would charge the room after the first grenade went off. With only a split second remaining, Arellano had to take action. “BOOM!” As soon as the first grenade went off these well trained Marines did just what Arellano predicted. They started for the door. Sergeant Arellano ran to the doorway, to stop them. Glancing over, he saw the grenade in the room.

“How could this be?” Jason thought. “Did the insurgents toss his grenade back toward the door? Had it bounced off something in the room or had the first explosion blown his grenade into the open? No time now to wonde… “BOOM!”

Arellano saw everything clearly, the curtains rose in the room from the concussion. Smoke came through each crevice in the bricks joined by sparks from the flesh tearing fragmentation coming through the wall that separated them. The loud boom seemed to continue to echo and everything became slow motion. The explosion spun Arellano onto his hands and knees in his own world. He was certain he was deaf. Had he saved his Marines? He had, he had kept them from the door and taken the brunt of the blast.

“I’m hit, I’m hit!” A Marine approached and told him that he was okay. Arellano tried to move around and his palms slipped in a pool of his own blood. Dazed, breathing hard, and feeling weak, Arellano told the Marine “What do you mean I am good, can’t you see I am bleeding to death?” Arellano felt the blood coming from his neck and others rushed to try to help him to his feet. Arellano crumpled like a rag doll, as he lost feeling in his legs. It was as though he was being electrocuted, the pain was excruciating, but he tried to remain as calm as possible. He tried to help as other Marines removed his flak jacket.

Arellano, bleeding, needed to be taken out for medical attention. But, the house was not yet clear. The fight raged on. You got to love these Marines, it was straight organized confusion, but they got the job done! They cleared the house and hoisted their wounded sergeant to carry him to safety. He was dead weight. Arellano couldn’t do much to help as he was dragged down the stairs. Moaning in pain, Arellano watched the wall, then the ceiling, more Marines rushing into the house and finally the dingy grey sky.

He could still hear gunfire and the Corpsman came to him as he was laid near the street. It was beautiful to be outside. Arellano reached up and held on to “rednecks” hand as they checked him out. Lenard told him of some of the injuries and joked that they were going to have to put a tourniquet on his neck. Arellano managed to joke back and tell him that it better be done as tight as possible. He tried to keep his attention on “redneck” as the Corpsman cut away the trousers to assess the damage. Despite the heat, Arellano felt cold. The Marines carried his half naked bleeding body to the AAV which would carry him off to Bravo, a surgical unit outside of Fallujah. Lying on a center bench, Arellano looked into the sky and asked the Lord if this was it. He reached to his chest were his dog tags and cross were and grabbed them. He pictured his family, what they were doing at that moment, and Lindsey’s beautiful face. He wondered if he would ever get to see that beautiful face again. He knew in his heart that he did not have to die for his friends and family to be proud of him, he knew that they already were.

There were a handful of Marines in the vehicle with various injuries. He could hear the loud engine and would occasionally catch eye of the wounded. First Sergeant Knox was at his side and gave comforting words to the cold Marine. Arellano told the Corpsman to stop giving him morphine; he wanted to feel some pain so that he did not slip away. He needed to be able to fight for his life. Moans and groans followed every bump in the road. Arellano heard the men radio ahead that he was to be the first off and that medical staff was waiting on standby.

After all of the hard work of those who fought by his side, those who evacuated him, aided him, and operated on him, he was now waking up from the first of a half dozen surgeries. Looking up he saw Lieutenant Colonel Malay and Sergeant Major Resto checking the wounded. They told Arellano and the other wounded Marines that they had fought a good fight but that not all had made it out alive. Then the Sergeant Major read the names of those who had fallen. Arellano closed his eyes and wept.

***
Lindsey had been extremely busy at work with Christmas just around the corner. Constant emails and phone calls added to the jam packed workload. Monday was a day full of computer work, correspondence and chaos. Sorting through emails, she ignored the ring of her cell phone. Now was not the time to talk if she wanted to get through her list for the day. Everyone knew she couldn’t talk when she was at work anyways. Except her parents, who often called to chit chat in the morning. Today was not the day for chit chatting. They had already missed the deadline for the internet and now there was a lot of pressure to work as quickly as possible. The ring was loud and annoying. Just to be sure that it was in fact her family; she glanced into her purse to check the caller ID. Odd, the area code was different, vaguely familiar, but different. Who in the world would be calling her from a strange area code? She had been a hermit recently, often working 12 hour days, which diminished friendships. With just enough time to turn her attention back to the computer, the phone rang again. Peeking down she saw the same area code but a different number. What in the world? Who was calling her? Well, maybe they would leave a message. Ignoring the ring she continued to type. Today was just not the day for extra interruptions.

She shoved the phone into her desk drawer to muffle the sound. However, the narrow drawer only echoed the vibration indicating that there was in fact a voicemail. Getting up to use the restroom, she felt the dog tags clink around her neck. She gently rested her hand upon them and grinned wondering where he was today. “Lord, please be with him today and strengthen him, send your angels to protect him!” The tags had been a reminder to pray. Throughout the day whenever she heard or felt them, she smiled and went to the Lord to ask for protection and strength. She returned to her desk to hear that familiar ring tone. This was the third time in a row and it was beginning to get a little creepy. Nobody called her this often. The fifth time around fear struck.

Lindsey flung the desk drawer open. Lit up in bright blue letters she read the name that put it all into perspective – Jaime. Suddenly it all made sense. All this time, how could she have been so ignorant? Fear slapped her and she paused in hesitation. All of the numbers were from New Mexico – Jason’s family.

It was the moment she had prayed against obsessively. Silence followed along with the shock. Thirty seconds may have passed but her heart stood still as the realization sank in. Staring at the phone wide eyed, she nervously bit at her fingers. No. Not now. How could this be happening?

The fear of the unknown was paralyzing. She didn’t want to find out, didn’t want to know. Why did this have to be happening? She inhaled deeply. This couldn’t happen. It wasn’t supposed to go like this. It was never supposed to happen this way.

What was she talking about? Nobody ever promised a perfect ending. She never knew how it was going to end and more than ever she needed to know what was going on. She had to know what happened! She grabbed the phone so quickly it slipped between her hands and fell to the ground. The tags around her jingled and she wrapped her fingers around them tightly. She had to know everything, no matter how hard it might be and Jaime would tell her everything. She dialed Jaime as quickly as she could.

Pressing the phone against her ear, her heart raced. Jaime’s voice was calm and collected as she answered the phone with a simple question. “Have you heard?”

The lump crawling up her throat almost gagged her. “No. Tell me.”

There was a slight pause and she knew it had to be hard for Jaime to break such horrible news to one of her best friends. Jaime and Lindsey had been friends for years. Both of the girls were from the same town and attended the same church and youth group in high school. However, it wasn’t until the girls ended up at the same private University that they grew to be best friends. The two had been through a lot together and when Jaime married Isaac two years ago, Lindsey had stood in their wedding. Isaac and Jason were cousins, he too stood in the wedding, and Lindsey would actually stand next to the man that would change her life. It was at that altar on October 26 that Lindsey met Jason.

The chemistry had been obvious and after the wedding they spent the entire evening talking and telling stories about their personal lives before he had to fly back to the Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton. Lindsey had presumed that would be the end of the spark. Fortunately, she was wrong. Jason began writing letters right away and the relationship developed.

“Jason has been shot.”

Silence followed the striking statement. The shock of that single phrase crippled her body. “I don’t know the details; just that he has been shot.”

Lindsey’s heart dropped into her stomach as she lost all words and lost all reason. Her words were jumbled as she stuttered and stumbled through them before quickly hanging up the phone with the promise to relay important information. Fingers shaking, she dialed his mother. Two rings, three rings, no answer. She tried his brother. Three rings, four rings, no answer. These were the people that had just been calling her. Why weren’t they answering their phones? Where were they? She dialed his father. Four rings, five rings, no answer. This was not possible. How could she receive this critical information and not be able to find anything else out. Surely some one knew something. Someone had to know. Justin would tell her. She dialed his brother again. Five rings, six rings, no answer. She couldn’t be left hanging like this. What was she supposed to do? Sit and wait? She could barely sit still with her knees and hands shaking. She pressed against the tags and tried to breath. What was his mother doing? Why wasn’t her phone on her? This was all crazy! She dialed his mother one more time. Ring after ring and still no answer. This was insane. Was she losing her mind? Was she dialing the wrong numbers? Lord, please let someone answer! Again, she dialed his father and decided to leave a message. “Danny, this is Lindsey. I just got a phone call and I would love to talk to you and find out more about what’s going on.” She hung up the phone and sat alone in this bare small office staring at the wall.

There was complete silence and shock. Was this even real? Was it a dream? How could this be happening? Breathe Lindsey, breathe. Blood was coursing through her body and heat began to rise up her neck. Small beads of sweat broke on her forehead. There was nothing to do but sit and wait. Her heart began to race faster and faster and it echoed in her ears as the room was still silent.

The startling ring briefly stopped her heart. It was his stepmother, Trudy, whom she had never met. Trudy returned the call and verified Jaime’s news. He had in fact been shot, probably in the leg but that was all they knew. No other word, but he had been shot. Nobody knew if he was alive, dead, or dying, but he had been shot. Lindsey could only imagine the graphic details. Slamming the phone shut and tossing it onto her desk, she dropped her head into her hands. From the depths of her soul tears erupted and flooded her flushed face. With the lack of detail, much was left to the imagination. How? Where? When? Would he survive? Would he lose any limbs? Would he be paralyzed? Was he being taken care of? Was he in pain? Was he conscious? Minutes went by with no movement and barely any breath. Muted moaning was all that broke through the tears as Lindsey clasped her hand over her mouth.

The ring of her cell phone startled her. “We just found out he wasn’t shot. He was actually hit with a grenade. They are taking him to Germany and that is all that I know.” Conversation trailed off and she tossed her phone into her purse.

In complete haste and shock she grabbed her keys. The large dark sunglasses couldn’t hide the black streaks running down her cheek and neck. Without a word to anyone she jumped into her car and began driving, with tears and mascara clouding her sight. Hy-Vee grocery store was just across the street and she raced around the corner into the lot and threw the car into park. All alone with nobody in sight, she wept. The truth was too much to handle. From deep within her soul, she mourned.

They had talked about this for the past year. They knew that there was a good possibility of injury or death and still nothing could have prepared her for the news today. The last conversation that they had face-to-face was in the airport terminal, as Jason waited for his flight three days before departing to Iraq. With tear strung eyes he embraced her and drew her in close. “Whatever happens over there, just know that I will always be with you, watching over you.”

The words replayed in her mind and she hit the steering wheel. Overcome with grief she sat alone in her car and cried out to God at the top of her lungs, “Jesus!” “Lord we need you!!!” All else was silent above her gasps for breath. “Lord God, Please!” Her head dropped to the steering wheel as the burdened heart grew weak. It was just so much to take in at once. “Jesus!” It was the only words she could form, the name of the Lord. “Jesus.”

An hour went by and still no word. Rolling the windows down, the cool December air felt fresh on her red hot face. She needed to start a prayer chain. When there was a need there was one person she knew to call who would drop everything go before the Lord – her mother. Quickly she dialed the phone.

“Mom.” Her mother immediately recognized the panic in her daughter’s voice.

“What?”

“I need you to pray.” Tears exploded and the words seemed jumbled but somehow she managed to convey the news. “It’s Jason…He’s been hit with a grenade.” Immediately her mother began to call on the name of the Lord asking for healing and peace.

The rest of the evening was a blur. She had left work and gone home early only to pace the room in a fog. Continually she tried to get a hold of his family and around 10 in the evening she finally spoke with his mother. The two cried together and promised to pray and stay in touch if there was any news. The entire evening was spent on her knees and as she finally fell asleep after midnight, there still had been no word on the status of Jason. Millions of questions and concerns had danced through her mind. Obviously with no facts, Lindsey presumed the worse. Wherever he was, she was prepared to hop on a plane the next day. If she had to fly to Germany, she would. It was a desperate time of fighting for the life of the man that she loved. Exhausted and emotionally drained, she fell asleep trusting that the Lord was sovereign.

At 6:00 am the phone startled her. Immediately she knew it had to be important information. Good or bad, she had to know. She flipped the light on… “hello?” It was the sweetest sound she could have possibly imagined. Somehow on the other side of the world Jason whispered back, “Hello.”

Sweet relief came flooding. He was alive. That was all that mattered. She knew they could work out anything else. He was alive and he was able to talk and she immediately thanked the Lord.

It would be three weeks, several surgeries and many plane flights before the two would see each other face-to-face. Only by the pure grace of God, they both survived the emotional trauma. Jason was hit by a grenade receiving shrapnel throughout his body, some barely missing his jugular artery. He had also been shot in the groin. The bullet barely missed his femoral artery, bones and joints. It was their faith, determination, and the hand of the Lord that has brought Jason through with no permanent injuries. Despite the fears and rumors, Jason is able to walk and surprised Doctor’s by his miraculous recovery.

He is often told how lucky he is to have survived, Jason is quick to say that luck had nothing to do with it, he is blessed. The Lord really does work in mysterious ways, “He has a plan for each and every one of you.”

Through the pain and suffering, so much has come to pass for Lindsey and Jason. They continue to seek the Lord in their decision making and pray for the Lord to use them in ways they never dreamed. The events of December 12, 2004 have forever changed their lives and their perspectives. The Corps lost five awesome Marines that day and those who continue to wear the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor continue to fight and risk their lives for American freedoms. Let us never forget our fallen.

Richard S. Lowry is the author of Marines in the Garden of Eden and The Gulf War Chronicles.

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