Injured Vinita soldier back home from Iraq

A Vinita military mom celebrated the best Mother's Day of her life because her son lived to see it. And she's enjoying the last few hours of her Marine son's leave. <br/><br/>The 26-year

Monday, May 9th 2005, 10:26 am

By: News On 6

A Vinita military mom celebrated the best Mother's Day of her life because her son lived to see it. And she's enjoying the last few hours of her Marine son's leave.

The 26-year old sergeant was critically injured last year in a roadside bombing near Fallujah. The News on 6's Heather Lewin says we first met Julia Roberts just days after she got word her son was injured.

After months of rehabilitation, Marine Sgt. Jake Rhinehart returned home for a very special event to celebrate the first birthday of his own son. Marine Sgt. Jake Rhinehart's biggest joy in life is his son. A son he almost didn't get to know. Jakeâ€™s mom, Julia Roberts: "I was scared, I didn't want him to go." But it's what her son wanted, so when he was deployed to Iraq, this Marine mom put on a brave face until her worst fears were realized. "Jake's got shrapnel in his stomach and legs, he's in a hospital in Baghdad. We don't know the extent of his injuries."

Jake's vehicle was destroyed by an improvised explosive device or IED. The driver was killed instantly; Jake was shipped back to the US, clinging to life. Jake Rhinehart: â€œI was hit in my legs, my back, my arms, got 31 percent of my body burned, lost my left kidney, part of my intestines, part of my colon."

Back home in Vinita, for the first time since the bombing, he tries to put his months in the hospital behind him. Julia Roberts: "One of Jake's friends came in four days later, he died after two weeks down there. And it was hard." Jakeâ€™s uncle Dee Spicer: "The things that he's seen, that he's experienced, he's gonna be dealing with the rest of his life." But now is a time for family and fun. Julia Roberts: "It's been great, it's been great having him around." Jakeâ€™s dad, Chuck Rhinehart: "I'm very proud of him, he's been through a lot. A price has been paid for freedom by our forefathers and it's something we should never forget."

Jake seems to be taking it all in stride, his country called and he answered. "We always practice for the game, so when the game comes, you're pretty much ready for it." Unfortunately, Jake is not home for good. He's headed back to Camp LeJeune, North Carolina on Tuesday. The next step after that is still unknown.

He wants to thank everyone in Vinita for taking care of his family.