thedrifter
10-29-05, 08:43 AM
Posted on Fri, Oct. 28, 2005
Marine takes center stage
Mount Union audience greets former student Ryan Groves, who was hurt in Iraq
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
Marine Cpl. Ryan Groves slowly walked into view on the stage at Mount Union Theatre on Thursday morning.
In his Marine dress blues, the 25-year-old used two canes as he made his way to the podium.
On a screen behind him were video images of Marines in his unit in Iraq and before him was a capacity crowd -- all on their feet and clapping and welcoming him home.
Groves, who spent three semesters at the Stark County college before joining the Marines, spoke for 60 minutes about his life before and after his time in Iraq.
``If you've ever seen the movie, Pay it Forward, that is what I'm talking about,'' he said of his new outlook on life. ``You are gonna be at your best and your happiest when you are helping others.''
After graduating from Southeast High School in Portage County in 1999, Groves attended Mount Union College, where he played football as a receiver.
But something inside, he said, told him that he needed to make a change, find discipline and grow more mature.
So on March 28, 2001, he joined the Marines.
He was in Hawaii on Sept. 11, 2001, meeting up with his first infantry battalion.
In June 2004, he was in Iraq, stationed near Fallujah with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.
On Oct. 17, 2004, while on his way to see friends in his former unit, a 123 mm rocket struck near his Humvee, critically wounding him.
His left leg had to be amputated above the knee and his right leg had multiple injuries. He has since had nearly 40 operations on his right leg.
His physical therapy continues at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
He has a ``C-Leg'' -- a high-tech prosthetic left leg -- and began walking more on Labor Day by using two canes.
The Marine corporal told the audience that he simply didn't know where his life was headed when he was a student at Mount Union.
Groves said he is ``the luckiest man on Earth.''
He recalled the moment he woke up at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., after he was wounded.
His first thought was, ``Wow, I made it. And I am alive.''
Groves said the injuries didn't matter -- living did.
He urged the students in the audience to use their time wisely.
He said he goes to church and believes in the Lord and is thankful for all those who helped him along the way.
His experiences are his artillery, Groves said, his arsenal for the rest of his life.
At the end of the speech, Larry Baswell of Marlboro Township, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army, raised his hand.
``Welcome home, son,'' Baswell said from the back of the auditorium.
``It's good to be back,'' Groves replied.
Groves said he plans to return to college in the spring; he hopes to attend Georgetown University.
His goal is to attend law school and work with veterans.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com
Ellie
http://p089.ezboard.com/bthefontmanscommunity
Marine takes center stage
Mount Union audience greets former student Ryan Groves, who was hurt in Iraq
By Jim Carney
Beacon Journal staff writer
Marine Cpl. Ryan Groves slowly walked into view on the stage at Mount Union Theatre on Thursday morning.
In his Marine dress blues, the 25-year-old used two canes as he made his way to the podium.
On a screen behind him were video images of Marines in his unit in Iraq and before him was a capacity crowd -- all on their feet and clapping and welcoming him home.
Groves, who spent three semesters at the Stark County college before joining the Marines, spoke for 60 minutes about his life before and after his time in Iraq.
``If you've ever seen the movie, Pay it Forward, that is what I'm talking about,'' he said of his new outlook on life. ``You are gonna be at your best and your happiest when you are helping others.''
After graduating from Southeast High School in Portage County in 1999, Groves attended Mount Union College, where he played football as a receiver.
But something inside, he said, told him that he needed to make a change, find discipline and grow more mature.
So on March 28, 2001, he joined the Marines.
He was in Hawaii on Sept. 11, 2001, meeting up with his first infantry battalion.
In June 2004, he was in Iraq, stationed near Fallujah with the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.
On Oct. 17, 2004, while on his way to see friends in his former unit, a 123 mm rocket struck near his Humvee, critically wounding him.
His left leg had to be amputated above the knee and his right leg had multiple injuries. He has since had nearly 40 operations on his right leg.
His physical therapy continues at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
He has a ``C-Leg'' -- a high-tech prosthetic left leg -- and began walking more on Labor Day by using two canes.
The Marine corporal told the audience that he simply didn't know where his life was headed when he was a student at Mount Union.
Groves said he is ``the luckiest man on Earth.''
He recalled the moment he woke up at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., after he was wounded.
His first thought was, ``Wow, I made it. And I am alive.''
Groves said the injuries didn't matter -- living did.
He urged the students in the audience to use their time wisely.
He said he goes to church and believes in the Lord and is thankful for all those who helped him along the way.
His experiences are his artillery, Groves said, his arsenal for the rest of his life.
At the end of the speech, Larry Baswell of Marlboro Township, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Army, raised his hand.
``Welcome home, son,'' Baswell said from the back of the auditorium.
``It's good to be back,'' Groves replied.
Groves said he plans to return to college in the spring; he hopes to attend Georgetown University.
His goal is to attend law school and work with veterans.
Jim Carney can be reached at 330-996-3576 or jcarney@thebeaconjournal.com
Ellie
http://p089.ezboard.com/bthefontmanscommunity