Cpl Eric Hall USMC, one tough Marine who spent a lot of time at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, lost his fight with PTSD in March 2008. He served his country honorably ... Rest in Peace Marine!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 2, 2008
Sergeant Merlin German USMC - Rest in Peace
By The Associated Press
A Marine sergeant who became a symbol of resilience as he strove to recover from a roadside bomb blast in Iraq that blanketed 97 percent of his body with burns has died, the Defense Department said. He was 22.
Sgt. Merlin German died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he was continuing treatment for the injuries he suffered in combat on Feb. 22, 2005, the Pentagon said Thursday.
The former turret gunner was dubbed the "Miracle Man" for his determination in facing his wounds, which cost the former saxophone player his fingers and rippled his face with scars. He endured more than 40 surgeries, spent 17 months in a hospital and had to learn to walk again.
Meanwhile, he started a charity, Merlin's Miracles, to aid child burn victims and considered college and a career.
"Sometimes I do think I can't do it," he told The Associated Press last year. "Then I think: Why not? I can do whatever I want. ... Nobody has ever been 97 percent dead and survived, and lived to walk."
Born in New York City, German moved to its suburbs as a teenager. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in September 2003, according to his charity's Web site. He was medically retired four years later, the Defense Department said.
German had been stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced that the state Capitol's flags would be flown at half-staff in German's honor, saying the sergeant's "courage and unfailing loyalty serve as an inspiration to Americans everywhere."
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Attention: Marines and Soldiers who served in Al Anbar
AUTHOR SEEKS INFORMATION ON CAPTAIN TRAVIS PATRIQUIN
Author William Doyle would like to hear from anyonewho worked with Captain Travis Patriquin in Iraq, Afghanistan or elswhere. He is conducting research fora book on the life and legacy of Captain Patriquin. Doyle is the author of two acclaimed books of history:
INSIDE THE OVAL OFFICE and AN AMERICAN INSURRECTION:
Any help you can give is greatly appreciated.
His email is: billdoyle@yahoo.com
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Coast of High Barbary
O are you a pirate or a man-o-war? cried we.
Blow high! Blow low! and so sailed we.
O no! I'm not a pirate but a man-o-war, cried he.
A sailing down all on the coasts of High Barbary
----------------------------------------------------That stanza is from the ballad "The Coast of High Barbary". The first Barbary War lasted from 1801-1805 and it was the Marine Corps' initial clash with outlaw barbarians. Sound familiar? It is also how we got the phrase "shores of Tripoli" in the Marine hymn.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Ramadi Today: "This is what victory looks like"
Ramadi is a city of 400,000 Iraqis and it is the capital of Al Anbar Province. Ramadi is an Arabic word meaning "grey", and for a long time the city was nothing but constant warfare and bloodshed. Thanks to the Iraqis, the ISF and our Marines and Soldiers, Ramadi is no longer hell on the Euphrates.
Read more here from super-blogger Michael Totten.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Major McClung and Sheikh Sattar
I will try to find a better photo, but this picture was taken the same day Major McClung was killed in Ramadi. She is pictured with none other than the late Sheikh Sattar. God bless them both!
Major Megan McClung KIA 6 December 2006
Sheikh Sattar Abu Risha KIA 13 September 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Sheikh Abdul Sattar Abu Risha - Rest in Peace
Sheikh Sattar was killed this morning in Ramadi, Iraq. He will be remembered by Iraqis, Marines and soldiers as one of the truly great men of Iraq. Sheikh Sattar joins Capt Patriquin and many other Marines and soldiers as a martyr for Al Anbar. If it had not been for his leadership and bravery, much of the success in Al Anbar would not have been achievable.
God bless Sheikh Sattar and the members of the great Abu Risha tribe.
A stanza from one of my favorite Irish ballads comes to mind. Substitute "Sattar" for Barry and "Iraq" for Ireland.
Kevin Barry
Lads like Barry are no cowards
From the foe they will not fly
Lads like Barry will free Ireland
For her sake they'll live and die
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