One year ago today, life changed dramatically for Jay Fondren.

Serving in Iraq in the Army, Jay was critically injured by an IED (improvised explosive device) which tore through the armored vehicle in which he was riding, and ripped through Jay’s body. The men riding with him tended to him immediately with tourniquets, as did a medic, and the measures taken by them in the field probably saved his life.

Back home, David and Bobbie Fondren, both teachers at Drane Intermediate School, were preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. Jay’s wife Anne and baby son Micah were in Corsicana, and plans were to spend some time with them and Jay’s sisters Katie and Jobeth over the holiday.

Then they got the call.

That night, members of the community braved the cold to gather in the Fondrens’ front yard at midnight to pray for Jay. A surgery in Baghdad that night was followed by the military flying Jay to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

“The damage to his right leg is more extensive, with it being gone below the hip,” David Fondren said at the time. “The left leg was lost below the knee ... he has lost his thumb on his right hand, and could lose the hand itself.”

Miraculously, Jay made it through each surgery, and started to improve. He was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland, where he would spend a good portion of 2005 recovering from his extensive wounds.

Many prayers from friends, family and members of the community helped Jay through countless surgeries and procedures. A triumphant return to Corsicana mid-May coincided with an Armed Forces Day fun run held in his honor. Jay and his family spent that month in Texas with non-stop speaking engagements at schools and churches, and made a trip to Fort Hood in Killeen where he received medals for bravery in combat.

After two more months at Walter Reed, Jay, Anne and Micah returned to their home in Killeen. There, they have been happily ensconced in normal family projects.

“We added 11 more feet on the patio, some crown molding in the dining room, have painted two bedrooms, and also a bath,” Jay said. “We’ve still got more stuff to do, like putting up new shower heads, and some motion lights outside.”

The family will soon grow by one, when a baby boy arrives in March. Micah, who was born while his dad was in California in basic training, is experiencing milestones each day. He walks well now, is out of his crib, and feeds himself. At 17 months of age, he doesn’t talk much yet, but understands much of what is said to him. He likes to help his dad by moving things, and will soon tackle potty-training.

“He can wipe his own face and hands, and get out of bed by himself,” Jay said. “He’s got bath time down pretty good, and spends hours with Daisy, the dog.”

Now that Jay is finished with surgeries, procedures and daily medications, he’s not letting his injuries slow him down. Not long ago, a group of college friends got together and took Jay fishing at Lake Arlington, where he caught a 14-inch bass. He went snow-skiing a few months ago, and he went duck hunting opening weekend, and shot the first duck of the season.

“The first week in December, I’m going to Midland for a televised whitetail hunt,” Jay said. “Anne and I and my buddy Brad will fly out Dec. 1, and attend an appreciation dinner for families, with Gov. (Rick) Perry. The Texas Trophy Hunters will thank the vets, then fly the wives back home. We’ll be at the camp a few days, hunting.”

Another way Jay has recently regained some independence is with his brand-new pickup. It was just outfitted with a rotating driver’s seat which lifts up and down, and a lift in the bed of the pickup for Jay’s wheelchair. The steering wheel has hand-operated brakes and accelerator, enabling Jay to do his own driving for the first time in a year.

While in Fort Hood for the medal ceremony in the spring, Fondren was offered a position with the Army orienting injured soldiers and their families about what they could expect. He made the decision to go ahead and seek retirement from the Army, and the paperwork was completed recently.

“I’m relieved to get the paperwork and everything done,” he said. “I made it OK through the ceremony, but when I had to check the place on the forms which said I would never enlist again, I was a little sad about that. I got my last pay from the Army in October, and won’t get a check from the V.A. until the end of November. It was the right decision, though a lot of the guys didn’t want to see me go.”

Fondren plans to get his master’s degree in history, and would like to teach at the college level or in a private school. For now, the family plans to stay in Killeen, and enjoy the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.

“There are some jobs available in Killeen, but we’re going to enjoy Christmas with the family,” Anne said. “We may go to Keller, which is close to North Texas (University). Jay may go to North Texas or DBU, after enjoying being retired a while.”

Thanksgiving 2004 changed the lives of Jay and his entire family, and they have seen God’s hand at work throughout the very eventful last year.

“God has given us the opportunity to meet lots of people we’d never have met, and be an example to people,” Jay said. “Every time we had a need, it was met — and met almost immediately. During my daily devotions, and especially during down times, I always seemed to read exactly what I needed for that day in the Bible.”

“He provided us with really good friends,” Anne said. “God has always given us someone to help out.”

“Since I got hurt, we’ve not had one situation where we were at the very end of our means, and especially at Walter Reed — there was always someone to help us through,” Jay said.

Of the last year, Anne said God never gives you more than you can handle, even if it may be more than you think you can handle. God will give you the means to get through it.

“It has been the most uplifting year,” Jay said. “We have faced so many challenges, and been provided with so many friends. The support of Corsicana, the community, and my Web site gave comfort to other soldiers. I talked to lots of guys who came in after I got hurt, and the Web site helped motivate them.”

Fondren has spoken at the Veterans Administration office, done television interviews, radio, and talked to kids at schools and churches. He tries to let other soldiers who’ve been injured know what is involved, and what they can expect. Anne is involved with a support group, and gives advice to wives of other soldiers being deployed.

“It is important to keep a positive light on things,” Anne said. “No sitting around the house this Thanksgiving!”

“Life is precious,” said Bobbie Fondren. To emphasize her point, she pulled out photos from the Pillans family reunion, where almost all the young women were expecting babies. Jay and Anne’s new son, who they plan to name Will, is due March 12.

“We’re just glad Jay will be here for Will’s birth,” David Fondren said. “I didn’t get to shake Jay’s hand on the birth of his son last time — but I’ll get to do that this time.”

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Deanna Plemons may be contacted via e-mail at deannap@corsicanadailysun.com