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Palm Harbor Marine Wounded In Iraq

Lance Cpl. Chris Glugla

By JANIS D. FROELICH jfroelich@tampatrib.com

Published: Nov 17, 2005

TAMPA - -- From his hospital bed in Germany, Lance Cpl. Chris Glugla sounded groggy from painkillers.

But after suffering what a nurse called "pretty complex shrapnel wounds," the 20-year-old Marine was glad to be alive.

"I've been better," Glugla said via speaker phone on Wednesday.

Glugla, who graduated from East Lake High School in Pinellas County two years ago, said he was medicated heavily to prevent him from moving.

Glugla suffered shell fragment injuries Monday while hiking on patrol during his second mission in Iraq. He is a member of the 1st Anglico Unit at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Glugla hopes to leave Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on Friday to return to his California unit for care.

Kara Elliott, head nurse at the hospital and a Plant City resident, said Glugla is scheduled for more surgery today.

Elliott is featured in a coming segment of "War Stories," a series of News Channel 8 reports by Bob Hite and Keith Cate about how the military is handling injuries from the war.

Glugla, listed in stable condition, said he doesn't remember much about being injured. He has wounds in his left shoulder, arms, chest, back and legs.

His father, Michael, said he received a call at 5 a.m. Monday -- not from the military, but from his son.

"I knew it had to be bad news and I said, 'What's up?' and he said, 'I stepped on a land mine' and I froze," Michael Glugla said. "Well, you're talking, you're alive," the father said he told his son.

Though Michael Glugla was relieved by that news, his son told him he was at a hospital in Germany and headed into surgery. Before he could get more details his son was off the line, leaving the dad to wonder where in Germany he was, how bad were his injuries and when he would hear from him again. He said he thought the Marines or Red Cross would call with details but was frustrated to get no further word until News Channel 8 helped connect the soldier with his parents at their home in Palm Harbor.

He talked to his mother, Debbie, and father on Tuesday.

"I told them I was all right and I was coming back to the States," he said.

Glugla wasn't sure when he would be reunited with his parents.

As for a message to send back home, he said, "Pray for all the soldiers to come home safe."

In Iraq since August, Glugla has been a Marine for two years. His future with the Marines is undecided.