thedrifter
11-16-06, 05:34 PM
Marine Trying To Help Badly Wounded Comrade
As a Marine, Jeremiah Stokes knows firsthand the sacrifices our troops make, even though he's never had to sacrifice what Sgt. Gregory Edwards has.
Edwards lost both legs, has a shattered hand and has shrapnel riddled through his body.
"I pray every morning and thank God for the sacrifice," Stokes said. "He's 24 years old, and his whole adult life he's been in the military, and that's all he's ever known. He's very hardworking -- just a regular working-class guy -- somebody that all of us know."
Edwards was on his third tour of duty in Iraq, walking through an area that was supposed to be clear, when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath him.
He was flown to a hospital in Bethesda, Md., where he is slowly recovering.
Edwards' mother and his wife immediately went to Maryland so they could visit him every day. Edwards' 2- and 3- year-old daughters can't see their day because of the risk of infection, but they're close by in a hotel.
Although the Edwards family lived in Jacksonville, N.C., Stokes is rallying support for the injured solder and his family from Stokes' home in Jacksonville, Fla. Stokes started the furnishing campaign through e-mail request and set up an account to help the family.
"It's very tough on them right now -- just struggling, trying to get through it," Stokes said. "The bills aren't getting paid; toys they had on layaway for Christmas are getting taken back." Stokes said Marines should be able to rely on each other.
"I'm a Marine helping a Marine," Stokes told Channel 4's Melanie Lawson. "We don't leave a fallen Marine behind. Never."
Anyone wishing to donate money to the Edwards family can do so at any Vystar Credit Union location. The account number is 702668520.
Cards or care packages can be sent directly to the family at: 8901 Wisconsin Avenue Building 52 room 315 Bethesda, MD 20889 Address it to the attention of Sgt. Gregory Wayne Edwards.
Ellie
As a Marine, Jeremiah Stokes knows firsthand the sacrifices our troops make, even though he's never had to sacrifice what Sgt. Gregory Edwards has.
Edwards lost both legs, has a shattered hand and has shrapnel riddled through his body.
"I pray every morning and thank God for the sacrifice," Stokes said. "He's 24 years old, and his whole adult life he's been in the military, and that's all he's ever known. He's very hardworking -- just a regular working-class guy -- somebody that all of us know."
Edwards was on his third tour of duty in Iraq, walking through an area that was supposed to be clear, when an improvised explosive device exploded beneath him.
He was flown to a hospital in Bethesda, Md., where he is slowly recovering.
Edwards' mother and his wife immediately went to Maryland so they could visit him every day. Edwards' 2- and 3- year-old daughters can't see their day because of the risk of infection, but they're close by in a hotel.
Although the Edwards family lived in Jacksonville, N.C., Stokes is rallying support for the injured solder and his family from Stokes' home in Jacksonville, Fla. Stokes started the furnishing campaign through e-mail request and set up an account to help the family.
"It's very tough on them right now -- just struggling, trying to get through it," Stokes said. "The bills aren't getting paid; toys they had on layaway for Christmas are getting taken back." Stokes said Marines should be able to rely on each other.
"I'm a Marine helping a Marine," Stokes told Channel 4's Melanie Lawson. "We don't leave a fallen Marine behind. Never."
Anyone wishing to donate money to the Edwards family can do so at any Vystar Credit Union location. The account number is 702668520.
Cards or care packages can be sent directly to the family at: 8901 Wisconsin Avenue Building 52 room 315 Bethesda, MD 20889 Address it to the attention of Sgt. Gregory Wayne Edwards.
Ellie