09/13/05 Army Spc. James "Jimmy" Benoit of Wharton, who was critically wounded in Iraq last week, was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland and remains in a critical care unit, his mother said on Monday.

'I'm not going back to work for awhile,' said Missy Benoit of Wharton. HDL Morris GI 'fighting' at U.S. hospital DHD Wharton mom says son, wounded in Baghdad, has moved his head BTX by laura bruno daily record Army Spc. James "Jimmy" Benoit of Wharton, who was critically wounded in Iraq last week, was flown to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Maryland on Sunday night and remains in a critical care unit, his mother said on Monday. Benoit has stabilized after undergoing 25 hours of surgery to repair extensive internal injuries, Margaret "Missy" Benoit said. He was wounded when the vehicle he was driving was attacked during a roadside bombing in Baghdad on Thursday. Her 23-year-old son is still in a coma and requires the use of a ventilator, but he has moved his head and opened his eyes at times, Benoit said. "He's hanging in there and fighting," Benoit said. Missy Benoit was flown by the Army to Walter Reed on Sunday and was able to visit with her son and hold his hand. Her oldest son, Pfc. David Benoit, was scheduled to arrive at Walter Reed last night as well. Her youngest son, Marc, remains in their Wharton home while continuing to attend college. "This looks like it's going to be a long haul," Missy Benoit said. "I'm not going back to work for awhile." Through the assistance of U.S. Rep. Rodney P. Frelinghuysen's office, David Benoit was given temporary orders to join his mother for eight days. He was scheduled to return for his second tour in Iraq early next month. He is stationed at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Benoit said she was grateful that the office of Frelinghuysen, R-Harding, helped to mediate David's leave. She said she can't imagine being alone at Walter Reed. Although she said there is a "phenomenal crew of people" at the Army hospital, the images she's seen of severely wounded soldiers has been "shattering," Benoit said. "It's very sad to see them," Benoit said. "There are a lot of wounded." Meanwhile, the outpouring of support from Wharton has been incredible, she said. The local American Legion Post 91 supplied her with pre-paid telephone cards so she can keep in touch with family members and friends. "I am so touched by all the love from home," Benoit said. Jimmy Benoit, a 2001 Morris Hills High School graduate, is a member of the local American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts. Jimmy Benoit had five months left on his second tour of duty in Iraq. He has been serving as a military police officer, training the Iraqi police force. He also served in Afghanistan in Operation Enduring Freedom. Laura Bruno can be reached at (973) 428-6626 or lbruno2@gannett.com. aq to show his family. "He loves the children's letters," Missy Benoit said. "He'll love every one of them when he's able to see them. It helps me, too, to see how much everyone cares for him." Laura Bruno can be reached at (973) 428-6626 or lbruno2@gannett.com.