‘Miracle’ Marine dies
May 2nd, 2008 . by TexasFred
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.”
Full Story Here:
‘Miracle’ Marine dies
Semper Fi Bro, you gave it EVERYTHING you had to give, a man can do no more than that.
Rest in Peace.
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Atten-HUT!
Hand Salute!
ready….. two!
Thank you for your service, and your sacrifice.
Rest in peace Marine.
God bless him and may he rest in peace. Men like him are heroes.
A true American hero. Thanks for posting this.
RIP. Great story! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Reminds me of Jim Valvano’s famous saying, “Don’t EVER give up!”
In the rough and rugged road, I saw the pathway of human life beset with trials, temptations and hardships. All terminating at last in the grave, the end for human ambitions. SEMPER FIDELIS, may you rest well.
“…land of the free, because of the brave.”
RIP
May his memory never dim, may his Honor always shine.
Take good care of him, Lord, for he was one of mine.
Semper Fi, Marine. Rest now, for your duty is complete.
Infection is the killer of burn victims. That he survived as long as he did is a complete testament to that man’s force of mighty will. What a man, what a soldier, what a will to live, what a shining example of not only the men who built this country but the MEN who keep it safe.
May God bring him home in loving, embracing arms.
BZ
I hope his legacy lives on forever, and his inspiration never stops.
Such a wonderful example of a good man.
Rest easy, Sir.
Thank God we have young men like this protecting our country. God Bless him. Tomorrow, Saturday, May 3, at Port O’Connor, Texas, we will be honoring some of his “brothers” from Brooke Army Medical Center when they arrive for “Warrior’s Weekend.” I look forward to shaking their hands and thanking them for their service. Warrior’s Weekend: http://www.lonestardiary.com//?p=3244
My condolences go out to his family and friends. An true American Hero has been taken from us.
Semper Fi!
Nothing more to add than what’s been said. Sgt German is what America is all about.
I have seen first hand the pain that burn victims endure. This story came on earlier and we told our children to quiet down and listen. The sacrifice of this man and those that came before him can never be repaid.
HONOR DUTY COMMITMENT The CORPS lives on by these examples. All gave some-some gave all. SEMPER FIDELIS
Thanks. Well done, good and faithful soldier. Rest in Peace.
Semper Fi Marine.
Sgt Merlin epitomizes what it means to be a member of America’s military.