For injured veteran, war continues even at home

By Elizabeth Simpson The Virginian-Pilot January 27, 2014

HAMPTON

Chuck Rotenberry can talk about the virtues of others, both man and dog, at length.

The Marines he served with during two deployments, Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011. How young they were. How eager.

"To see what these Marines go through ... they were hungry for it every day. Each day, they wake up not knowing if they're coming back, but they do it."

And the dogs - they go first when clearing an area of improvised explosive devices or checking a house during a forced entry. It's something most people back home don't stop to think about: who walks point.

"Everyone is looking at the dog and the dog handler like, 'Whaddaya got?' That's a huge responsibility."

But Chuck, 35, is slower to talk about himself.

Active-duty Marine for 13 years. A staff sergeant, chief trainer of military dogs and kennel master. Now a Marine reservist living in Hampton.

It takes awhile to get to the part about the IED, the shrapnel, the flying body parts, the brain injury.

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For injured veteran, war continues even at home