Thread by @jaketapper

October 28, 2008, COP Keating, Afghanistan: Captain Rob Yllescas is targeted for assassination by local insurgents.

Yllescas, an immigrant from Guatemala, was an incredibly effective leader who won the trust of local Afghans.

The injuries he suffered, on this day in 2008, were from a remote controlled IED -- his men believe he was targeted for assassination. 3/

4/ His injuries were devastating. When Dena Yllescas got to him at Landstuhl on Nov 1, she barely recognized him.

5/ Dena Yllescas kept a remarkable journal during this period detailing what it was like for her and her family:

yllescasfamily.blogspot.com/search?updated…

6/ On Nov 10, at Bethesda Naval Hospital, President Bush pinned a Purple Heart on CPT Yllescas. He still hadn't woken up.

7/ Before she left Nebraska, Dena had told daughter Julia, 7, that Daddy lost his legs but he is still Daddy and he loves you very much.

8/ Julia: Is Daddy still going to be able to wrestle with me?

Dena: Yes, baby...But it will take a while before he can do that again.

9/ Julia was concerned about her baby sister.

Julia: But Mommy, Eva won't know Daddy.

Dena: You mean she won't know him without his legs?

10/ Julia: Yes, Mommy.

Dena: Baby, Eva won't know any different, and Daddy will love you both just like he did before.

11/ Dena reminded Julia of family friend Ryan, who had a prosthetic leg from an injury in Iraq.

Dena: Daddy will have two legs like that.

12/ Julia scrunched up her face.

Julia: Well, I'll be painting those legs peach!

13/ At Bethesda, Dena sat with Rob and played favorite songs: The Keeper of the Stars by Tracy Byrd, Bless the Broken Road by Rascal Flatts

14/ Rob went through surgery after surgery. Leg wounds kept bleeding, he had acute kidney failure, jaundice, a severe fever, intense pain.

15/ On November 25, Julia and Eva came to visit their dad. After their visit, Rob went downhill fast, as if he'd been waiting to say goodbye

16/ On Nov 28, a CAT scan revealed a large blood clot in Rob's brain. Doctors gave Dena the choice of a risky craniotomy or letting him die

17/ Dena opted for the craniotomy. She didn't believe a loving God would bring him this far only to die or to live a life in oblivion.

18/ Doctors performed the craniotomy. Rob's brain was so swollen they couldn't restore the bone flap they'd removed to get to the clot.

19/ As he lay in recovery, Dena told Rob: "I hope you understand why I made the decision I did." She saw good signs. He clenched his jaw.

20/ His brain stem is working, she thought. God got him through surgery. Why would he do that if he didn't have a plan for Rob?

21/ Julia prayed that night: "God, please heal my daddy so she can wrestle with me."

Dena prayed: Lord, please hear my daughter's prayers.

22/ Two days after his craniotomy, on December 1, 2008, CPT Rob Yllescas had a massive stroke. A CAT scan afforded no hope. He died that day

One family's lifetime of grief and sorrow, beginning on this day, in 2008. Have a thought today for Dena, Julia, and Eva if you could.

24/ RIP, Captain Rob Yllescas.