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Long road back

Slow recovery predicted for injured soldier

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizen.com

A Fayetteville man shot in Iraq is facing a long road to recovery, according to his mother.

Sgt. Ryan Coffield, a 2002 graduate of Fayette County High School, was shot by a sniper almost a week ago when he was out on foot patrol, said his mother, Dee Coffield of Fayetteville.

Sgt. Coffield is expected to be transferred to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C., in the next few days. The shot went in the right side of his neck and exited the left side, damaging some vertebrae, Dee Coffield said. He has lost use of his left arm in what is hopefully a temporary ailment, she added.

"We continue to pray for a full recovery," Dee Coffield said. "This is going to be a long road to recovery for Ryan."

Coffield is asking Fayette residents to keep Ryan and all U.S. soldiers in their prayers.

Sgt. Coffield's wife, Sandra, is expecting a baby boy in December, and she plans to meet her husband in Washington after he is moved there. Deb Coffield credited the quick action of his platoon mates and medics for saving her son's life. She also said she is thankful his injuries weren't worse.

Both Deb Coffield and Rod Coffield, his father, went to be at their son's bedside in Germany, and they have been staying at The Fisher House, a volunteer organization that relies solely on donations. Deb Coffield said she also felt fortunate because she was able to fly to Germany as soon as she heard he was transported from Balad due to her employment with one of the major airlines.

"It is very important the injured soldier has family here for support," Deb Coffield said. "Think about it. We have several young men in the service who have seen more in the last two years than you have seen in a lifetime. They were boys going in and became young men in just a few short weeks."

Sgt. Coffield was based at FOB MacKenzie in an unknown section of Iraq, because the base’s location was classified, his sister said. He was stationed in Fort Benning in Columbus. He enlisted in the military right out of high school and went to basic training three days after graduation.