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May. 2nd, 2008 | 07:49 pm
location: home
mood: sad sad



THIS STORY MADE ME CRY

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

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."

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On the Net:

Merlin's Miracles: http://www.merlinsmiracles.com
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Comments {6}

presentiment_xx

(no subject)

from: [info]presentiment_xx
date: May. 3rd, 2008 02:31 am (UTC)
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ow.. that's so touching.. he's such a positive person.. may he rest in peace.

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melissaluvzhyde

(no subject)

from: [info]melissaluvzhyde
date: May. 3rd, 2008 07:06 pm (UTC)
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I can understands the original reason why Bush sent troops over there to Iraq. But it brakes me heart the things that our soldiers and their families are going through. He was only 22!

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The Official Kaz Encyclopedia

(no subject)

from: [info]iceybabes
date: May. 3rd, 2008 04:25 pm (UTC)
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I guess he isn't suffering anymore but wow that is a lot of surgeries for anyone to have at such a young age! Hopefully his charity will live on and help others who were/are in his situation. He is definitely a miracle and an inspiration! T_T Poor guy though, hope he rests in peace finally.

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melissaluvzhyde

(no subject)

from: [info]melissaluvzhyde
date: May. 3rd, 2008 07:12 pm (UTC)
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He's in heaven. Even so, it shouldn't have come to this. Our soldiers should come home.

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The Official Kaz Encyclopedia

(no subject)

from: [info]iceybabes
date: May. 3rd, 2008 07:23 pm (UTC)
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I know I wish they would but things are really out of our control. Every war has casualties and it makes me sad. Even wars I wasn't even alive for (I think of WWII and all the Japanese that lost lives because of us nuking them, makes me want to cry.)

My best friends husband was in Iraq and his convoy got hit by a road side bomb and he got shrapnel in his eye. They thought he was going to be blind but he is fine but still has terrible nightmares over the whole thing. They were lucky they weren't killed that's for damn sure.

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melissaluvzhyde

(no subject)

from: [info]melissaluvzhyde
date: May. 6th, 2008 02:06 pm (UTC)
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wow, my heart goes out to them. I'll bet he has terrible nightmares, and has probably lost alot of friends. the world is fucked up.

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