In debt to his country
Iraq veteran gets bill after injury discharge
By Amy Hatten
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Tyler McWilliams thought he'd retire from the Army when he enlisted for a six-year commitment as a reservist during his junior year in high school.
He spent the summer break of that year sweating it out in basic training. Four days after receiving his diploma, the 2000 Moffat County High School graduate officially was inducted. He later served as a heavy equipment operator in the 244th Engineer Battalion under Hayden's Staff Sgt. Mark Lawton, who was killed when the convoy he and McWilliams were traveling in was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade north of As Suaydat, Iraq.
McWilliams can still point out the places on his arms and face where shrapnel from that attack is lodged.
McWilliams carries the scars of battle and three years of service in Iraq, but he came away from the experience with something more -- a bill from the Defense Department for more than $3,000 and 30 days to pay it.
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