'Miracle' Marine Badly Burned in 2005 Iraq Blast Dies after Becoming Emblem of Resolve

[Hissyspit]

Source: Associated Press

`Miracle' Marine dies; badly burned in 2005 Iraq blast

`Miracle' Marine badly burned in 2005 Iraq blast dies after becoming emblem of resolve

The Associated Press
AP News

May 02, 2008 07:37 EST

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."

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/news/mochila/_Miracle_Marine_dies_badly_burned_i_05022008.html

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[Prisoner_Number_Six]

1. Rest in peace, Marine.

Well done, Sergeant. A grateful nation thanks you for your service and for your sacrifice.

[calimary]

7. ...and for your courage, and such an inspiring story.

Thank you, Sergeant.

You brought some much-needed honor, dignity, and integrity to a military that badly needs it, mired in a war that is no such thing.

:patriot:

[saigon68]

21. Another useless death for Halliburton Stockholders

And less I forget, Gangster Cheney's increasing fortune

[residentfan]

28. None of our soldiers have died in vain

Regardless of what any of our thoughts in the war in Iraq are, let's always remember that none of our soldiers died in vain. In fact, this is in any corporations face that has made money on this awful war.

[TheWraith]

2. Sad to hear. Catastrophic injuries can often cause complications later on.

Assuming, of course, that this wasn't suicide. I'm not sure anyone could blame him if it were.

[RamboLiberal]

19. Apparently after all he endured he died after an operation

on his lips. Probably one of the simpler procedures he had to endure.

But all he had to endure - what a toll it must have taken on his body and internal organs.

What a shame. Rest in Peace Sergeant.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Maine-ah]

4. k/r

[babylonsister]

5. How this man must have suffered; so sad. nt

[brentspeak]

6. RIP, Sgt. German

[Gormy Cuss]

8. How terribly sad that he didn't have a chance to go forward.

He sounds like a caring and determined young man.

[Happyhippychick]

9. Shedding tears for this brave man. RIP.

[Barack_America]

10. Heartbreaking.

God bless him.

[Kolesar]

11. The Children's Crusade

I hope his family can get beyond this and find some peace

[ronnykmarshall]

12. RIP Sgt!

:patriot:

[librarycard]

13. 22 years old, and so much promise, so much suffering

German's death symbolizes the needless sacrifice of our country's future, a future personified through SGT German and other soldiers who have died or were wounded, for a war that never should have taken place.

[Aanya]

14. RIP

I am trusting that the corner of hell that makes it's self known during their sleep, reveals to Bush/Cheney exactly what they have done! I want to see it in their eyes!

[Betsy Ross]

15. I went to Merlin's Miracles to make a donation.

The web site is currently down.

[galaxy21]

16. I'm not a big believer in Hell...

But part of me realy hopes there is one so condi, cheney, and everyone else in their gang can rot there. Frankly, they're aren't going to get punished in this life, so the next one might be the best we can hope for.

[Plucketeer]

27. I agree with you there!

I regret that Bush has only one life to render to the thousands of punishments he's got coming - Cheney, Condi and the rest of the White House Crime syndicate as well!

Like the hanging of Saddam, executing this Admin's top ecehelon would be TOO kind. They need to be able to die a million painful deaths to recompense a little part of what they've levied upon this planet.

I hope Diablo has a treat like this for them -> :grr:

[llmart]

31. Let's not forget about Rumsfeld......

who actually delighted in war as long as he didn't have to put his life on the line.

Every last one who promoted this debacle or continues to promote it bears some responsibility for this brave man's death and all the other deaths.

But most of all, the entire Bush family should rot in hell for this.

[galaxy21]

37. Even Barney?

[Hekate]

17. May he rest at peace in the place of all healing. nt

[joeybee12]

18. God rest his soul...

...very tragic.

[YOY]

20. If were even 1/2 right about Iraq the f***ers who started all of this will burn

Sizzling like bacon I hope.

Of course that's assuming there is an afterlife...

[KSinTX]

22. To Sgt. Merlin German and the other 7,041 American angels

A moment of silence for the now 4,066 young men and women who have died in this horrible war and the 2,976 killed on 9/11 whose memories were tainted by it.

[cornermouse]

23. This is so incredibly sad.

RIP. The pain is over.

[Joey Liberal]

24. That was one tough Marine

RIP, Sgt. German.

[bronxiteforever]

25. RIP

:patriot:

[auntAgonist]

26. incredibly sad ..

May he rest in peace now. Condolences and much sympathy to his family.

:cry:

aA

[Sam Ervin jret]

29. RIP and always faithful Sergeant

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

30. This made me cry

This musician denied the right to make his music--to live his life in peace--because of the Bush Crime Administration. Rest in peace, son. I only wish your sacrifice never had to be made.

[OmahaBlueDog]

32. I hope we never lose sight of the bravery of our Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors

Our problem is with the idiot civilians placed over them.

Also let this remind all of us is that the real impact of these wars is not felt in deaths on the battlefield, but in those who are maimed and will require years of treatment.

[flor de jasmim]

33. I wish the image of each of our brave soldiers were seared into Bush, Cheney & Rumsfeld

... literally.

[darue]

34. bush and the rest will burn in their own hells for this and so much more n/t

[frogcycle]

35. more links here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3233591&mesg_id=3233591

[RamboLiberal]

36. His picture before the burn injuries

His dream.
Merlin had a vision to help burned children and their families. He wanted the foundation to be named Merlin's Miracles.

After being burned over 97% of his body when a roadside bomb exploded under his vehicle in Iraq while fighting defending our freedom in the Global War on Terror. Merlin was flown to Brooke Army Medical Center where he was not expected to survive, but after over 9 months in the intensive care unit and over 100 surgeries later, he had clearly defied all odds. Merlin became known to everyone as the Miracle Man.

He touched the lives of everyone he met. He taught us strength, courage and unity. He loved children and was very proud uncle to his one year old niece.

The donations would be used to assist burned children and their families to take vacations, trips, outings or anything the families needed to make life a little easier. Merlin loved to travel and knew how difficult it was for him to endure long lines at amusement parks or the frustration of not being able to do certain things because of the heat or being able to go to certain places because of special transportation needed.

It was his dream to be able to grant these families their wishes no matter what the request was. The grants would not be limited to trips and outings but also to help the families in their own homes to make it more comfortable for the burn children.

http://merlinsmiracles.com/

Information on donations can be found at the above website. My charity for this pay period will be to this charity in honor of Sgt. Merlin German. This is one of those stories that bring tears to your eyes and grabs you by the heart.

[Bush_MUST_Go]

38. RIP, Sgt. German. And thanks for posting the link to his site.

[flashl]

39. RIP. nt