Warwick native recovering from Afghan war injuries

WARWICK - A Warwick Valley High School graduate who was seriously injured during a Feb. 20 attack on his unit in Afghanistan is now being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., after undergoing six operations. While the family of 1st Lt. Jason Mazzella is grateful he will eventually recover without any long-term physical challenges, their hospital visits are a reminder that many soldiers suffer permanent injuries and disfigurement as a result of the Afghanistan war and need to be remembered because of their contributions to the nation’s security. ROTC graduate lst Lt. Jason Mazzella, who is serving with the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based 4th Infinity Division, 4th Brigade, 2-12 Infantry, was attacked by Afghan insurgents while his 50-person unit was on patrol and setting up a mortar. Media reports said the unit was helping to get medical supplies to Afghans in the Chapa Dara district, a rural, mountainous community. Mazzella, a fire support officer for his unit, based at Forward Operating Base Blessing in Kunar Province since last June, declined to be interviewed. But his father Mark Mazzella, a Warwick resident, was certain luck was on his side, as the soldier standing on one side of his son was killed, and three other on his other side were seriously injured. “His vest and his helmet saved his life,” said Mazzella. “But he was hit with shrapnel from his ankle up to his head. He broke both his fibula and tibia.” Mazzella said his son downplayed the seriousness of his injuries when contacting his wife, Brianna Horton Mazzella, also a Warwick Valley graduate. She happened to be visiting family in Warwick when her husband called her Feb. 20 to alert her to what happened to him. “She got the call, and he said, ‘Honey, I broke my leg,’” said Mazzella. “Then he said, ‘But, I’ll let the doctor tell you all about it.’” That’s when Brianna Mazzella learned he was in a military hospital in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan. He already had his first operation to care for his leg injuries as well as to remove some shrapnel from the different areas of his body, according to his father. Later, he was sent to a military hospital in Germany for more surgery before a flight to Washington, D.C. and a transfer to Walter Reed. His eyewear kept shrapnel from damaging his eyes, his father said, but he will need additional nasal surgery to address other shrapnel injuries. “His doctor joked it was a good thing that he has that Italian nose because it slowed down the shrapnel … his brain stem was not injured,” said Mazzella. Jason Mazzella’s leg injuries will require him to wear a Taylor Spacial Frame for six to eight months, according to his father, which is designed to mobilize the leg as it heals. “Once they’re satisfied with his progress, his healing and pain management, he’ll go back to Ft. Carson in Colorado for therapy there,” Mazzella added. The Mazzella family spent the last two weeks in Washington, D.C., getting into town around the same time Jason Mazzella’s flight was arriving from Germany. They met up with him as his ambulance arrived at Walter Reed. “As parents, we were very worried,” said Mazzella. “As soon as he got there, we were able to see him. He looked great … all black and blue and bandaged-up. It was a big relief. We thought we would lose him. We were very fortunate he didn’t die.” Mazzella praised the Walter Reed staff, marveling at their talent, expertise and assistance. “The support staff is great,” said Mazzella, who returned to Walter Reed with his family this week to visit again with Jason. “They provided us with everything, including food and lodging. Family members, too. And Brianna hasn’t left his side.” Mazzella is also grateful to people who have been supportive of Jason Mazzella’s military duty, even before he was injured. “When people heard our son was a soldier, we heard nothing but thank yous, praise and prayers, even before he got hurt,” said Mazzella. “There was never any negativity. We were happy to hear that.” But there’s a larger picture to Jason Mazzella’s injuries that Mazzella wanted people to remember. “We’ve gotten some great support,” he said. “But there’s a lot of boys and girls coming home who are coming home severely wounded. The country has to support these guys. It’s an eye-opener (visiting Walter Reed). There are so many who come home wounded and we never know about them. Yes, they get recognized by the military, but I don’t think the country understands how many get injured.” With that in mind, Mazzella’s father is keenly aware of his son’s good fortune. “The doctors told us there that for every soldier who is killed, there are 10 to 15 guys coming there who are severely wounded and have lost their limbs,” said his father. “He (his son) said the one medal he didn’t want to earn was the Purple Heart. I told him he’ll have some scars to brag about in the future.”

Want to send a get-well card?
Mark Mazzella of Warwick said his son, 1st Lt. Jason Mazzella, would welcome hearing from area residents. Cards and letters can be sent to:
1st Lt. Jason Mazzella
P.O. Box 1243
Warwick, N.Y. 10990