Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates hurt in fall
(CNN) – Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates was back home on Thursday after injuring his neck in a fall on New Year's Day.
Gates accidentally fell and fractured his first vertebrae at his home in Washington state, according to a statement by his office that said nothing more about what occurred.
Gates, 70, was treated at two hospitals, including one in Seattle. He then returned home and was resting comfortably. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Gates led the Pentagon for parts of two presidential administrations under George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
He is due to release his memoir, "Duty," on January 14. He still plans a media tour but will be wearing a neck brace, the statement said.
Gates was also a career CIA officer and headed the agency under President George H.W. Bush.
– CNN's Barbara Starr contributed to this report.
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Get better soon , he's a realist , not a neocon . He was one of the few in the GW Bush admiration who had a clue of the realities of war.
Unfortunately , he had to come in and clean up after Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz made a total mess .
Robert Gates for President! Get well soon! Please don't forget there are not that many good, wise and grounded people left in American Government do your duty please!
Mr. Gates, please get well soon. It is not worth taking risks, we need to be little extra-careful at this age. Get well soon, sir, Happy new year to you and your family. Strive for this beautiful nation, sir.
Have a speedy recovery Mr. Gates.
“In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should ‘have his head examined."
This is why Bob Gates is respected by us on the left. He speaks the truth regardless of who the Commander-In-Chief is.
Very interesting.
I agree.
Get well soon, mr. Gates.
Winter weather can get anyone.
Respected by the left, does that mean the tea party hates him?
Get well soon Mr. Gates. My prays are with you.
That neck injury sounds very painful to me. I wish him a smooth and peedy recovery.
Be careful on icy surfaces, folks. Don't stuff your hands into your pockets because you might need them for a fall.
Didn't he fell while he was the Sec. of Def. in D.C.? This should be his second time?
I'm wondering if someone is poisoning him. He is a rational man, and he led in a rational way.
And that kind of leadership tends to make the Right Wing Nut Job element furious.