Parents Get Scary War Zone Voice Mail

An Accidental Redial Lets Oregon Couple Listen In On Their Son's Afghanistan Firefight

(AP)  An Oregon couple checking their voice mail found a frightening three-minute recording of their son caught in a battle in Afghanistan.

Stephen Phillips and other soldiers in his Army MP company were battling insurgents when his phone was pressed against his Humvee. It redialed and called his parents in the small Oregon coastal town of Otis.

Most the sounds were gunfire, but shouts can be heard, including, "More ammo! More ammo!"

"At the end, you could hear a guy saying 'Incoming! RPG!' And then it cut off," said John Petee, Phillips' brother.

Phillips' mother, Sandie Petee, and her husband, Jeff Petee, were not at home at the time of the call. When they checked their voice mail, they heard the shooting.

"His friend died a year ago in Iraq and I'm thinking, 'Oh my God, this may be the last time I hear my son's voice on the phone,"' Sandie Petee said.

Jeff Petee said that he and his wife were getting flowers for the family of his son's friend to mark the first anniversary of his death in Iraq when they missed the call.

"It's something a parent really doesn't want to hear," Jeff Petee said. "It's a heck of a message to get from your son in Afghanistan."

As soon as the voice mail stopped playing, the Petees began trying to reach their son.

"I finally got a hold of him," Sandie Petee said. "He was embarrassed, he said, 'Don't let Grandma hear it."'

Stephen Phillips, 22, is serving with the Army 546th MP Company 3rd Platoon and has been in Afghanistan about a year, his father said.

Nobody was wounded or killed in his son's unit during the firefight, Jeff Petee said.

Phillips could return to Fort Stewart in Georgia next week, his family said.

[mediamomma]

What a horrifying message! Even though he''s okay, it''s a chilling and terrifying message that would give me nightmares probably for the rest of my life. That poor couple.

[hwy71so]

He didn''t/doesn''t have any business having a cell phone on his person in theater. Sort of like sticking your finger in a light socket hoping no one flips the switch!

[hwy71so]

Personally, I think it would be neat to be able to play it back years from now. Sounds like a pretty cool recording. They''ve already learned their son is okay. All''s well that ends well, I say!

[cryonbrian]

Nothing new under the sun!

[missingamerica]

He didn''t/doesn''t have any business having a cell phone on his person in theater. Sort of like sticking your finger in a light socket hoping no one flips the switch!

Posted by Hwy71So at 11:37 AM : May 07, 2008

I suppose that if his unit was surrounded, under fire, taking casualties, and the unit comm gear got blown away, you''d advocate that he be courts-martialed should he be foolish enough to both use his cell to call for reinforcements AND survive?

[dnamj]

Yikes, that is horrifying. However, if more soldiers "accidentally" called, say, Keith Olbermann, with the sounds of a firefight maybe people would wake up and realize the price they are paying for so-called cheap oil (or was it democracy?).

[frank-e1]

Now nobody asks why we didn''t go to Baghdad during the first gulf war. Were you one of those asking that question too? Always popular to parrot the popular position, isn''t it? Of course, you have access to all that "classified" info that they''ll read about in the history books 61 years from now, right?

[j-whitman]

frank-e1,,, In 61 years what you''ll be reading about is how a US President got convicted on War Crimes --- If we don''t bring these people to justice, another country surely will.

[frank-e1]

Hey J -- one question -- have you actually READ the Koran all the way through -- or is that another parrot position? I have. And why you think the United States should give up the president to another country -- how about Berg''s beheading? War crime or freedom fighters doing the right thing? (By the way, did you see that too? It was available if you had the guts to watch what your poor victims of war crimes do to the innocent.)

Nuff sed. Go vote and watch what happens. The dems have had congress now for 2 years (oh congress passes the laws, not the president?) so why hasn''t anything changed. Do you know what a dupe is? You been had brother.

[nnncola]

Frank-e-1... You are obviously not as smart as you think you are. Keep sitting there and hiding behind your computer, you know you will never win a real argument or even prove a point for that matter.

[rf35]

He didn''''t/doesn''''t have any business having a cell phone on his person in theater. Sort of like sticking your finger in a light socket hoping no one flips the switch!

Posted by Hwy71So at 11:37 AM : May 07, 2008

You''re an ***! There is nothing wrong with having a cell phone in the Middle East AOR. Maybe he should have turned it off while outside the wire, but as long as it is on silent mode, who really cares? I just wish I had a cell phone that would work in Iraq. It would be a lot better that the two 15 minute "moral calls" you get each week from the base phone system.

[frank-e1]

Yes, you''re absolutely right. I couldn''t win the argument. My point was -- educate yourself. Congress, passes the laws, not the president. Have an opinion about a religion that you''ve actually read the book. And try getting your news from a different source (hmmm CBC radio Canada anyone?) than domestic service. But I see you''re right, its impossible to get you to educate yourself, only to hear a parrot of the "popular" position.

Lets see now -- who to vote for? Lawyer, lawyer, or (as they put it here) McVet. Why don''t you ever see Joe from the Elks club on the ballot? Guess politics is really only for the rich and privledged which leaves the rest of us ..... where?

Please wake up -- knowledge is in fact power. Accumulate it. Use it.

My original point was that for the millions of Americans that do not have the security classifications necessary, (unlike the Congressmen that voted for the war) the REAL reasons are not directly tied to oil. Do you realize that RUSSIA has more oil in the ground than the middle east and they''re actually our friends right now (ever heard of Gaspom?) -- and I suppose next you would have us pipe it outta Afghanistan or better yet, Bosnia (Clinton put us in there, remember -- check the facts).

Each individual that has lost a family member or lved on in Iraq has a right to feel bitter and question the value of their loss, of that there is no doubt.

OK, abuse all you want now. I actually have to work for a living. Bye.

[bozworth4]

VETO!!!!!!!!!

[gretagreen]

"Don''t let Grandma hear it." That''s soo sweet.

Fellow Americans, we have got to help our soldiers. They need more time off, they need more money, they need better care. Just keep writing your congresspersons and signing petitions (and anything else you can think of to do).

It seems like McCain votes against most of the vet bills. That''s so strange, I think.

[bozworth4]

Nuff sed. Go vote and watch what happens. The dems have had congress now for 2 years (oh congress passes the laws, not the president?) so why hasn''''t anything changed. Do you know what a dupe is? You been had brother.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by frank-e1

OPPS!!

VETO!!!!!! Thanks King George II

[nnncola]

hahahaha ok rev. frank-e-1, go work for a living and pretend that you have all the answers.

[sunseeker6]

Well Said frank-e1!

[questionnews]

"If any man says he hates war more than I do, he better have a knife, that''s all I have to say."

Jack Handey

[blackwater66-2009]

This is a day int the life of our brothers in arms, who are fighting for our freedom everyday and not interested in politics at home, we have more to worry about than who did what to whom or when, our mission is our life, God bless these warriors of the world.

[obamawhama]

if you hear a liberal say "the are not against the military bu against bush"

well that is the same thing they say at every administration before bush and will say after bush BECAUSE ITS REALLY ALL ABOUT HATING this country.

these people had been spitting at american soldiers since the 60''s.

[rg0205]

bozworth4 I agree with you on the second post, about getting news from somewhere else. our media reports what sells, much like our candadates...they talk what gets them votes. I don''t believe they will end this war, regardless of what started it, why it was started, weather it was right or wrong, they won''t do it because of the jeapardy it will put us as the US in, and they are familiar with that. They HAVE to get thier information from the people over there fighting, and they HAVE to follow thier recommendations, BECAUSE they know what the other side is capable of and what consequences we will end up paying for pulling out of a war pre-maturely.

[obamawhama]

and across the globle..every anti-war liberals are making sure that this brave young man''s enemy has every right..every opportunity..reason..and is allowed to have an upper hand to kill him.

[grammawhamma]

Of course this would be horrid for the parents to hear...but what do they think their son is doing in Afghanistan, playing checkers all day?

God Bless our troops and keep them safe!

[b0ludo]

Thank God for heroes like Sgt. Phillips, who continue to bring the fight to those who killed our innocent civilians at the WTC. Thanks for keeping those godless thugs away from our kids. Thank God also for the heroes at home, like the Petees... Thanks, Sgt. Phillips, and give them plenty of steel!!!

[excoachken]

To BOludo: What the good Sgt. Phillips is doing has nothing to do with the WTC attack and even less to do with "keeping those Godless Thugs away from our children." It is about OIL, as John McCain admitted last week. It is about trying to get control of another countries natural resource because you will not go on a gasoline diet! Sgt. Phillips is being exploited by the Bush-Cheyney Liars Club. But, then, again, so are you!

[excoachken]

Nutsie: Once again living up to your handle. Time to go back on the meds so that you can see what the real point of this war is!!! Otherwise, no trip to the Zoo for you this weekend without the "jacket."

[nbedell2]

QUETZALCRIST - why don''t you go and try to run the USA - you can''t do it - because you are nothing but an ignorant jerk! Keep your ignorant opinion to yourself! Noone is interested in your trashtalk!!

[nothappyatall]

"His friend died a year ago in Iraq and I''m thinking, ''Oh my God, this may be the last time I hear my son''s voice on the phone,"'' Sandie Petee said. "

SO? according to you right wingers, he would be hop skip and jumping right into gezus'' LAP for a lap dance
in heaven- eternal paradise ferever, so we should be PRAYING that he does get hit by a RPG so that he can join gezus that much sooner!


"I finally got a hold of him," Sandie Petee said. "He was embarrassed, he said, ''Don''t let Grandma hear it."''

Yeah, dont let grammy hear it, just release it to the media so it gets broadcast around the GLOBE! How is this stupid cell phone call *NEWS*???

[ranger1948]

grammawhamma
Your right it is a parents worst nightmare. My mother called my son and told him my daughter had been wounded in Iraq. I am overseas and i spent a week trying to find out what happened and even had to get my senator involved. Turns out her first sgt called me and told me she was fine and let me talk to her. My mother just likes to make trouble when she can and doesn''t understand why i finally disowned her a few years back.

[ranger1948]

owhamabama
I am 100% disabled Vietnam vet, my son is 100% disqabled while serving with army rangers, my daughter just returned from Iraq, and my youngest son is getting ready to enlist for army rangers. I

[ranger1948]

owhamabama
I am 100% disabled Vietnam vet, my son is 100% disqabled while serving with army rangers, my daughter just returned from Iraq, and my youngest son is getting ready to enlist for army rangers. I

[ranger1948]

obama whama
I have always been loyal to my country and to the soldiers who defend our country. I met my daughters platoon before they deployed to Iraq. They also feel we do not belong in Iraq, but they are professional soldiers and will follow orders like a true soldier does. I do not support the war in Iraq, but i do respect our soldiers.

[ranger1948]

hwy71
You can take your finget out of the lite socket now, it has been in there way too long, your brains are fried.

[imnho]

Fromm what I understand a cellphone call saved the life of a Navy Seal a few years ago.

[grammawhamma]

ranger1948: Today is a very happy day for me because my son came home this afternoon from his first tour of duty in Iraq! The point I was trying to make is that Phillip''s parents were upset to hear what thier son''s missions sounded like. People need to realize that these soldiers are not on a picnic...they are in a dangerous war.

God Bless our troops.

[ranger1948]

gramawhama
I am always happy to hear one of our troops came home safely. I don''t know if your black or white but it doesn''t matter. They are all soldiers and i am proud of all our soldiers. I hope we are out of Iraq soon.

[algoresarse]

Posted by ranger1948 at 10:53 PM : May 07, 2008
+ report abuse

**************

the way american does it is that we take the war to their doorsteps.. it keeps them occupied there..KEEPING YOU AND I and all the loved ones those soldiers left stateside..SAFE.

Regardless (but personally i think it was the RIGHT MIDDLE EASTERN STATE TO START) what started Iraq..it gave the necessary foothold there..to make this war move faster is to allow our military to fight this war they way they were trained..FAST AND HARD. but we are bogged down with politicial correctnes..we have liberals who are very SYMPATETHIC towards the enemies of this state.

if it comes to military warfare..we would had ended this long time ago..we are fighting the liberals to move along and finish this off..

[algoresarse]

Posted by ranger1948 at 10:53 PM : May 07, 2008
+ report abuse

***************

we can engage the enemy without them even knowing that we are coming..we have the technology to catch them where they stand..**humm reminds me of the recent spying case where the DNC were upset that we are spying on terrorists**

[ranger1948]

grammawhamma
Yesd i undersdtand your point but as a parent you know the anguis you feel when the telephone rings or there is a knock at the door, You have that dread of being notified that something has happened to your child. Most Americans have no concept of what combat is like. I do because i am retired military and served in combat. I was more afraid while my child was in Iraq than i ever was in combat.

[ranger1948]

algorsarse
We have the most advanced technology and the best army in the world, yet five years later we haven''t captured or killed ben laden. Why not ? I think bush is saving that for just before elections to make the republicans look good. We know where he is at and yet we do not go wih him. I have wrote my senators and asked them why since we know and i get no reply. What does this tell you ? It is all a political game to th regime. I am sick of our troops dying over political nionsense.

[algoresarse]

Posted by ranger1948 at 11:49 PM : May 08, 2008
+ report abuse

*******************
you even said it yourself, we have the technology and protocols to to find bin laden, personally I think he is dead or we have a close tab on him and IS INTENTIONALLY NOT APPREHENDING HIM for political reasons..NOT TO WIN AN ELECTION but to avoid an spontainious outcry from the muslim and liberal world. if we have the likes fo murtha and al franken lamenting the death of foot soldiers CAN YOU IMAGINE the backlash from these crowds?????????

its tactical to have bin laden out of the picture..you were a ranger..YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT...

[ranger1948]

algorsearse
I know that our govt is capable of doing many things and most people would not believe them. Did you ever wath th movie Apocalypse Now with Martin Sheen. Great movie about Vietnam but everyone assumed it was just a movie about Vietnam and didn''t take it seriously. I know i have reported to the govt where ben ladn is at and i know at least one other American has also made the same report. Nothing has happened. Only conclusion is they do not go get him for political reasons.

[ranger1948]

Look at bush. He sits on his pedestal and thinks everything is fine and tells the people so thinking we are going to believe it because he says so. I think he isd suffering from a God like complex and probably other mental disorders. Afterall he said the Constitution was only a GD piece of paper. It didn''t fit into his agenda.

[obamawhama]

Posted by ranger1948 at 03:59 AM : May 09, 2008
+ report abuse


**************************

Like I said, Bin laden is better left ''unseen'' due to the fact that he has a LOT OF SYMPATETHIC followers and political leeches (the DNC and the liberal masses) WHICH might rally MORE VIOLENCE if anything is to happen to him.

Now you seem to have to hatred towards Bush. let me ask you this, if his actions or policies were UNCONSTITUTIONAL then we have every liberal media, the DNC and you guys ready to pounce on him. (dont give me the bullcr*p that he got that suppressed...Micheal Moore, Al franken, John Colbert, Jon Stewart, etc. had made millions SPREADING these allegations..) Bin Laden''s supporters cannot proceed with the impeachment process BECAUSE you cannot impeach anybody with allegations, scripts written by liberal writers and tabloid style facts.

FACT REMAINS: American civilians were attacked in a civilian location by people who has this twisted fundamental ideology that YOU AND I do not share. They are still out there, they are waiting for our defenses to weaken THEN THEY WILL STRIKE AGAIN.

AGAIN...are you sure you are a soldier?