from the Daily News Tribune

By Norman Miller / News Staff Writer
Saturday, January 29, 2005

FRAMINGHAM -- The son of a Framingham firefighter injured in an attack in Iraq last month remains in guarded condition in a U.S. military hospital in Germany but is conscious and can walk, fire officials said yesterday.

Timothy Aponte, 26, a U.S. Army soldier and son of veteran Framingham Firefighter Pablo Aponte, was injured sometime in December by a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq, Framingham fire Lt. John Magri said.

Aponte's outlook was not bright at first, but things have improved, Magri said.

"The original report was he wasn't going to make it through the holidays," said Magri. "His father's prayers have been answered."

Pablo Aponte is a 16-year veteran of the Framingham Fire Department. He and his wife, Margarita, flew out right before Christmas to see their son, who was flown from Iraq to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.

Timothy Aponte suffered serious injuries and will need reconstructive surgery to his intestines and bladder, Magri said.

The surgery will be done in the United States, but he will have to remain in Germany for about six months before he is able to fly.

The Apontes visited their son for eight days. Timothy's wife, Diane, and son, Hector, have rented a small apartment near the hospital.

The details of the attack are still not known.

What Magri does know is that Aponte was injured in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Iraq. His Bradley fighting vehicle was hit.

Timothy Aponte and his wife, Diane, are Taunton High School graduates. The soldier was serving in his third Middle Eastern tour of duty -- the first two in Afghanistan prior to deploying to Iraq, Magri said.

The Apontes could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Magri said they appreciated the outpouring of generosity from town residents and other organizations who donated more than $12,000 to help them fly to Germany.

"On behalf of the Aponte family, we thank them (the gift-givers) for their kindness and prayers during this dramatic incident," Magri said.

The Apontes paid for their own flight to Germany, and only a portion of the money has been used to help pay for the apartment for Diane and Hector Aponte to live near the hospital.

The rest of the money will be donated to Soldier's Angels and the International Association of Firefighter's burn fund, Magri said.

Soldier's Angels greet injured soldiers at the hospital and give them blankets, clothing and a bag of welcome gifts, Magri said.

"The Apontes were taken aback by the number of lonely soldiers," said Magri. "That's when they fell in love with Soldier's Angels."

We at Soldiers' Angels extend our deepest gratitude to the Aponte family, and our best wishes for our Hero Timothy's continued recovery.