thedrifter
06-28-08, 08:07 AM
Sugar Land LDS Church To Honor Marine Hero
by John Pape
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sugar Land will hold a special patriotic event on June 29 to honor a wounded Marine hero.
The “Star Spangled Sing-Along” will honor U.S. Marine Sgt. James “Eddie” Wright, who received the Bronze Star for bravery after he lost both hands during a battle in which he saved the lives of his fellow Marines.
Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert will also be recognized for his public service.
The annual patriotic program is now in its fourth year. Last year, over 500 people attended the festivities.
On April 7, 2004, Wright was in the midst of his second tour as a recon Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in Iraq, escorting a military convoy when it came under enemy fire. The convoy was hit by machine gun fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Wright was in the lead Humvee when it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, rupturing the Marine’s eardrum, ripping open his thigh, breaking his femur and blowing off both hands.
“I opened my eyes and looked at my hands and I saw they were both blown off,” Wright recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘damn, both of them?’”
Despite his injuries, Wright was, according to his Bronze Star citation, “the epitome of composure.”
“Understanding the severity of his own injuries, he calmly instructed others on how to remove the radio, call for support and render first aid,” the citation reads. “He also pointed out enemy machine gun emplacements to his fellow Marines, assisting in the demise of 26 enemies killed in action.”
Wright also instructed one of his lance corporals to put a tourniquet on his wounds.
“I had to stay calm,” Wright said. “If I freaked out, the younger Marines would freak out. The Marines without combat experience would freak out.”
Wright continued to help direct fire at the enemy as the battered Humvee sped away. It was later estimated that Bravo Company came under attack by as many as 60 enemy insurgents.
Despite needing 39 units of blood and losing all vital signs on the operating table three times, Wright hopes to return to duty and make a career in the Marine Corps.
“I think the Marine Corps will give me a fair chance (to return). I just need to demonstrate I can do it,” he said. “If I could stay in my battalion, that would be great.”
Wright added that he wishes he was still in Iraq with his unit.
“I’d trade that medal for a chance to go back there,” Wright said.
The Star Spangled Sing-Along begins at 6 p.m. at the church, 14555 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land.
The event is free and open to the public.
Ellie
by John Pape
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Sugar Land will hold a special patriotic event on June 29 to honor a wounded Marine hero.
The “Star Spangled Sing-Along” will honor U.S. Marine Sgt. James “Eddie” Wright, who received the Bronze Star for bravery after he lost both hands during a battle in which he saved the lives of his fellow Marines.
Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert will also be recognized for his public service.
The annual patriotic program is now in its fourth year. Last year, over 500 people attended the festivities.
On April 7, 2004, Wright was in the midst of his second tour as a recon Marine with Bravo Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion in Iraq, escorting a military convoy when it came under enemy fire. The convoy was hit by machine gun fire, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars.
Wright was in the lead Humvee when it was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, rupturing the Marine’s eardrum, ripping open his thigh, breaking his femur and blowing off both hands.
“I opened my eyes and looked at my hands and I saw they were both blown off,” Wright recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘damn, both of them?’”
Despite his injuries, Wright was, according to his Bronze Star citation, “the epitome of composure.”
“Understanding the severity of his own injuries, he calmly instructed others on how to remove the radio, call for support and render first aid,” the citation reads. “He also pointed out enemy machine gun emplacements to his fellow Marines, assisting in the demise of 26 enemies killed in action.”
Wright also instructed one of his lance corporals to put a tourniquet on his wounds.
“I had to stay calm,” Wright said. “If I freaked out, the younger Marines would freak out. The Marines without combat experience would freak out.”
Wright continued to help direct fire at the enemy as the battered Humvee sped away. It was later estimated that Bravo Company came under attack by as many as 60 enemy insurgents.
Despite needing 39 units of blood and losing all vital signs on the operating table three times, Wright hopes to return to duty and make a career in the Marine Corps.
“I think the Marine Corps will give me a fair chance (to return). I just need to demonstrate I can do it,” he said. “If I could stay in my battalion, that would be great.”
Wright added that he wishes he was still in Iraq with his unit.
“I’d trade that medal for a chance to go back there,” Wright said.
The Star Spangled Sing-Along begins at 6 p.m. at the church, 14555 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land.
The event is free and open to the public.
Ellie