Just READING the story made me tear up! Thanks Guy.
Awwww GuyK,
Didn't you know only real men cry? Wish I had been there to give that marine a hug or two.
Glad that you are doing better with the therapy stuff. Keep at it!
Got me a bit teared up as well. God bless him.
Wow. That's about all I can say.
I can't understand why the government brings these folks back, puts them back together to some extent, and then just cuts them loose. Seems like they don't get very good care in some of our medical facilities, and they aren't cared for financially after they are discharged. If Bush can find 33 million to send to Africa for computers for classrooms, can't we at least be sure combat veterans who are seriously injured have a roof over their head and a few dollars in their pockets for the rest of their lives?
From the way Sgt Joe talked the Marines wanted him to stay if he was physically able to perform even such light duty as instructor duty..it would free up a physically fit Marine for a combat role.
And, the ones who are not capable for active duty are usually given a medical discharge with a disability payment of some kind..but seldom enough to live on.
All I can say is WOW and pass the tissues.
Thank God and Grand ma's For all the Sgts Joes. I know that there are Alot more out there
yeah, there are a lot more of them out there and I thank my creator for them every day.
Wowsers. I'll BET they want him back ~ what a guy. What a JARHEAD. Semper Fi, Sgt.
And thank you so much for the story.
If you see him again at theraoy, tell him Thank You from me.
Guy, if you run into Sgt. Joe again at rehab, you be sure to tell him thanks from me.
As you may know, my son was at Alasad Airbase with his Marine Reserve unit a couple of years ago and while his duty was relatively light compared to what the leahternecks in the cities and towns were doing, he experienced some rocket attacks but no one in his unit was even wounded. (He claims the ragheads hadn't got the range yet and he may have been right. The week after they left their replacements took some hits and lost a few good men.)
We owe a great deal to the men and women who serve in our armed forces. Respect and recognition for the job they are doing is just a small bit of what they deserve.
I have no doubt I'll be seeing him as we both have the same therapist crew...and he says they have him scheduled for mornings...but his is every day and I have three days a week...
we laughed this morning..the reason they hire the good looking gal therapists is so they can keep us coming back..but I have no doubt this lad would be doing it by himself if that was what it took.
Hey Guy, I got me a ideer, how bout everyone that reads this bit of wit and shit like I do five times a day get a big THANK YOU going and you print it out and take it to him? I'd hate to miss a chance to tell that cowboy how much we owe him and all of his pards for what we have.
You guys put these comments on here and I'll take 'em to him..
Marine
My words aren't much but they come from the heart. Thank you for keeping my family safe and working so hard to ensure a future for my daughters. I can't repay that debt but I can acknowledge it and I do. My best wishes for a full recovery and return to duty. Semper Fi, Sgt!
Dear Marine..from the bottom of my heart I give you thanks for your sacrifce to the citizens of this country.
May God's richest blessings be yours.
My husband is a retired soldier..he says to send his gratitude along with mine.
I can't help but echo The Hermit's position on respecting our seriously-veterans.
TO THAT ANONYMOUS MARINE:
There are millions of proud Americans clapping and cheering you with every strain of therapy. The Marine Corps still Builds Men.
Thanks for sharing Guy, I used to go to Madigan Hospital, that's some pretty tuff stuff to see but you never get over the grit that brings these fine young fighters back.
I've seen it in the field hospitals and stateside, esprit de corps, these are the true men, the ones who will unplug, hike or hitch a ride back to their units before they get a medical discharge, they are the severely injured who endure ungodly pain during rehab just to be back amongst their own kind. God I love them all. Before I go and get all Maudlin:
Thanks Marine, if it weren't for the United States Marines and an Army EOD technician I wouldn't be writing this. Thank you's are never enough for your protecting our nation and the personal and family sacrifices you all make. Godspeed to a full recovery and a long and safe career in the Corps. Semper Fi Marine.
Semper Fi Sgt. Joe...
And Guy, I KNEW you had a heart, it takes things like that to get to me too...
..... it is good for us to see these wonderful people, Guy....... they show us what it truly means to be honorable...... and giving..... and self-sacrificing........ we have an amazing country to produce such young men and women.......
Thanks for this post, and the story.
{and Salute to the young warrior}
I think he probably appreciated having you there, too. The young ones always hope they measure up to tough old timers. I hope you see him again, and cheer him on.
Sgt. Joe,
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service. My contempt for those with a September 10,2001 metality knows no bounds.
Get well soon.
I've never commented on your posts before, even though I read your blog daily. This Marine makes me so proud to be an American!!! Both of my sons served in Iraq - the oldest, Clint, was killed in Mosul on 2-19-05. Being a military family has brought us great pride and patriotism and I salute this young man for the courage he displays EVERY day of his life. Please give him our best wishes!!!
Susan Gertson
Texas Army Mom
Thanks Guy,
I had the privilege a year or so ago of sharing a VA therapy room with an army guy who almost lost his right arm when an IED went off on the right side of the truck he was riding shotgun on with his arm hanging out the window. Same story, getting a very bad arm functional to stay in and hopefully go back to Iraq.
Marine,
We're proud of you and thank you for your service. God Bless you and may your recovery be more than you hope for.
Sgt. Joe,
My prayers will be that your rehab goes well and that you can return to the Corps.
That there are men like you in the Marines, and others like you in all our services, gives my family great peace of mind. To go through what you've endured for us would have been more than enough, but to fight so hard to put yourself back in that position again...all I can say is thank you and may God bless you and your family.
Thank you Sgt. Joe for your service and your calling.
Thank you Guy for the tears and for sharing the experience.
That's cool, Guy and it's cool that you cried for him. Some people..they deserve your tears. Thank YOU. Shit, dammit..now I'M crying.
I cried as well.
Further thoughts on my blog
Bless you both...
What is left to say except Semper Fi.
I figure any man who fights in a war, or even gets their ass chewed out by a drill sergeant but doesn’t see action overseas, has cart blanche to shed a few tears in life, since they’ve more than paid their dues to their country.
Please extend my deepest gratitude to Sgt. Joe for kicking the bad guy's asses.
*mwah* *mwah* *mwah*
Good job soldier and America's son, and thank you for keeping my family and myself safe. May God bless and keep you.
Sgt Joe,
Thank you for your service and for giving us our freedom back here in Texas.
We love YOU!!!
Tell Sgt. Joe We're pulling for him, and a huge Bravo Zulu for his service.
Well seeing as how I was the one that kinda got this started and did say thank you once, I feel that I need to say it again and again and never stop, because you see, I DO know how hard it is going through rehab and the doctors still do not know how I'm walking or for that matter why I'm still alive. I tell them that it's because it needs to be done and I WILL do it!
Again, THANK YOU SIR, and yes, to me you are a SIR!
Semper Fi, Sgt. Joe,
I pray for your recovery and more success than you hope for in whatever life holds for you.
From an old Swabbie
Sgt Joe, Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. You make me proud to be a fellow American and Texan.
JDP
There are those who sacrifice the ultimate and we can never repay their gift to us, but we can try to thank those that come back to us, especially those that come back wearing an obvious badge of courage.
From one vet to another...thank you so very much...no one can ever question your devotion to your country.
Dear Sgt. Joe -
Thank you so much for your service to our country. Reading about men like yourself restores my faith.
Sgt. Joe, you and men and women like you are what makes this a grand country.
I'm proud to be a fellow Texan.
I tear up all the time from reading of experiences such as this, GuyK. I wear all my emotions on my sleeve and proudly. If some out there think that makes me weak, well, I'll ask them, where's your heart?
Tell Sgt. Joe Semper Fi and good luck from a Navy vet and Uncle of a Marine headed to Iraq in a few weeks.
What a great story and a reminder as to how lucky we are to have people like Joe in our military.
Have Sweetthing give him a big kiss for me and tell him I said "Thank you"
A while back ago I made a comment about this brave American. Now on 3/24 I feelthat my few words were too little and would like to say thank you sgt.Joeonce more. From the bottom of my humble soul thanks to all the men and women of the Armed forces. where ever they may be
Sgt. Joe,
Words can never really express the depth of my gratitude for your service and commitment. I'm constantly amazed that young men of your caliber exist in this world. Thank you for all that you have done, and continue to do.
We hear so much about those who do wrong but there are a lot more "rights" like Sgt Joe that don't get the attention and thanks they deserve. Not just for serving their country or going to war, but for being the decent, courageous and kind human beings that makes me ever hopeful for the future of this world. Big hugs to the Sgt, Godspeed Marine!
Guy, thank you for sharing this story. Please tell Sgt. Joe thank you for his service and commitment to our great country and he reaches his goal.
Sgt. Joe...This retired Navy "Doc" who spent 8 years with the Corps, wants to "Thank You" for all your sacrifices and wish you all the luck in the world. Semper Fi Marine.
I'm just outside Fort Worth myself, so drop me a line if there's anything I can do.
(I puddled up a little, too.)
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