A few weeks ago I discovered what makes a true "American Hero". This is about Sergeant Merlin German, a young man who graduated Woodland's High School with my sons, Keith and Ryan in June 2003. Voted Home Coming King, Merlin entered the Marine's soon after graduating. Within a year of joining the Marine Corps, he had the distinction of being the first Private First Class to ever attend the Machine Gunner's Course. In the first 6 months of his deployment, Sergeant German had remarkably found 8 IED (improvised explosive devises).
On February 21, 2005 Merlin's squad was on a mission from Jordan to Baghdad, when their Humvee was struck by a gas-fed explosive. He was blown clear of the vehicle, and when found had been burned over 97% of his total body. Given no chance of survival, he was transferred to an Army Medical Unit in San Antonio, Texas. With that 3% chance of survival, Merlin made it his motto - "Got 3% Chance of Living- What you gonna do?"
Sergeant German fought bravely for a little more than 3 years before he passed away on April 11, 2008. Instead of worrying about his own survival, he developed his dream during that time. It was a vision of starting a burn unit for children called "Merlin's Miracles". During this time
Sgt German never once lost his sense of humor; and what makes me even prouder was to see all his friends (many of whom I have known since they were very young) stand by him through his whole ordeal. Merlin even designed his own t-shirt which on the front was his "3% motto" and on the back lists his ideals, and then signed the shirt. The proceeds of his special shirt will go to help fund his dream "Merlin's Miracles". To me and all his classmates who showed up at his Memorial the other evening at their High School, he exemplifies a true American Hero.
His foundation can be found at www.merlinsmiracles.com
14 comments:
Pam, what a wonderful feature on this American Hero. It was beautiful. I would love to donate to this cause and buy a shirt....he was an inspiraton as well as a hero. And thanks for writing this and letting us know of this beautiful person.
Thanks
Beth
Wonderful feature! An amazing hero of the best of the best!!
Truly inspiring.
What a beautiful tribute to this brave man. War is HORRIBLE !
What a beautiful tribute to this brave man. War is HORRIBLE !
Too much is always said about the bad guys.... these are the guys we should concentrate on! Thank you so much for sharing this poignant story.
This is an outstanding tribute to an American Hero. I share your sorrow at his loss. Chief Seattle, in a speech to Congress, said, "There is no death. Only a change of place." I knoe he is well in his new place.
What a beautiful tribute, Magdalene. Thank you for this piece. Some give so much.
Wonderful tribute to a remarkable young man.
A thoughtful remembrance of a giving person. What a tribute he will always be to life.
What a touching story about a couragous young man! Your post is a fitting tribute to his memory.--JN Originals
Thank you all who read this blog. When I first heard what happened to this young man, it truly affected me as it did my sons. I knew I had to do something special to honor his memory. Thanks for all your beautiful thoughts.
Pam
Very moving. One of the heroes we don't hear so much about. Thank you for posting this.
It continues to inspire me that people in such tradgic circumstances, can find the power to reach out beyond themselves and give back to others in need... these people are true heros.
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