thedrifter
02-06-09, 08:29 AM
Wounded Bridgewater Marine clinging to life
By Theresa Knapp Enos
Thu Feb 05, 2009, 10:03 AM EST
Bridgewater - Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 21, always wanted to serve his country.
“He always wanted to be a Marine, ever since he was a little boy,” said his mother, Laurie Hayes, of Bridgewater. “He was always playing with G.I. Joe, and, when he got older, I thought he might change his mind, but he didn’t. He still wanted to be a Marine.”
After graduating from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School in 2007, Preach joined the Marine Corps and was eventually stationed in Farah Province, Afghanistan, as a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ten days ago, on Jan. 24, the Humvee in which Preach was a gunner was hit by an improvised explosive device and he was badly injured. He was transported to a medical site in Germany for surgery. He was stabilized and transferred to Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he remains in a medically induced coma.
“He is very seriously injured,” his mother said from the Texas medical complex. “He’s lost his legs. He’s lost a hand. He’s seriously burned. He’s very burned. It’s not even day-to-day, it’s really hour-to-hour.”
Hayes says at least two other soldiers who are close friends of her son were also in the Humvee during the attack, including Kenneth Bowen of Michigan, who was also transferred to Brooks, and Julian Brennan of South Carolina, who was killed.
While Hayes prays for her son’s recovery, she wants people to know about injured soldiers and the sacrifices they are making for their country. Many of the injured work on the medical campus and have been helping Hayes during her stay.
“You usually just hear about the soldiers who are killed. All these guys deserve a lot more attention than they’re getting,” said Hayes. “A lot of people who don’t know somebody in the military just don’t have a clue about the sacrifices these guys are making. I see guys with no legs, no arms, burns and God knows what else — and this is just one hospital.”
Hayes says she is pleased with the treatment her son is receiving and the hospitality she has been shown, adding that she may stay in Texas for a year.
“I know this is the best place for Kevin right now,” said Hayes, noting that Preach could be in the hospital enduring surgery after surgery for two years.
“Everything has changed; he will need constant care for the rest of his life. Everything has completely changed.”
Hayes said Preach cannot receive anything inside his sterile room, but she will read him cards and letters that are mailed to him.
Preach’s siblings include Michelle Bailey of Brockton, Kristin Pagnotta of Taunton, and Daniel, 18, who will graduate from Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot next week and will serve as a Reservist.
Readers can send cards and letters to: Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 3857 Roger Brook Drive, Room 4 South, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
Donations can be made to: Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102 PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057. For more information on the fund, visit www.semperfifund.org.
Ellie
By Theresa Knapp Enos
Thu Feb 05, 2009, 10:03 AM EST
Bridgewater - Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 21, always wanted to serve his country.
“He always wanted to be a Marine, ever since he was a little boy,” said his mother, Laurie Hayes, of Bridgewater. “He was always playing with G.I. Joe, and, when he got older, I thought he might change his mind, but he didn’t. He still wanted to be a Marine.”
After graduating from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School in 2007, Preach joined the Marine Corps and was eventually stationed in Farah Province, Afghanistan, as a machine gunner with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Ten days ago, on Jan. 24, the Humvee in which Preach was a gunner was hit by an improvised explosive device and he was badly injured. He was transported to a medical site in Germany for surgery. He was stabilized and transferred to Brooks Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he remains in a medically induced coma.
“He is very seriously injured,” his mother said from the Texas medical complex. “He’s lost his legs. He’s lost a hand. He’s seriously burned. He’s very burned. It’s not even day-to-day, it’s really hour-to-hour.”
Hayes says at least two other soldiers who are close friends of her son were also in the Humvee during the attack, including Kenneth Bowen of Michigan, who was also transferred to Brooks, and Julian Brennan of South Carolina, who was killed.
While Hayes prays for her son’s recovery, she wants people to know about injured soldiers and the sacrifices they are making for their country. Many of the injured work on the medical campus and have been helping Hayes during her stay.
“You usually just hear about the soldiers who are killed. All these guys deserve a lot more attention than they’re getting,” said Hayes. “A lot of people who don’t know somebody in the military just don’t have a clue about the sacrifices these guys are making. I see guys with no legs, no arms, burns and God knows what else — and this is just one hospital.”
Hayes says she is pleased with the treatment her son is receiving and the hospitality she has been shown, adding that she may stay in Texas for a year.
“I know this is the best place for Kevin right now,” said Hayes, noting that Preach could be in the hospital enduring surgery after surgery for two years.
“Everything has changed; he will need constant care for the rest of his life. Everything has completely changed.”
Hayes said Preach cannot receive anything inside his sterile room, but she will read him cards and letters that are mailed to him.
Preach’s siblings include Michelle Bailey of Brockton, Kristin Pagnotta of Taunton, and Daniel, 18, who will graduate from Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot next week and will serve as a Reservist.
Readers can send cards and letters to: Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin T. Preach, 3857 Roger Brook Drive, Room 4 South, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234.
Donations can be made to: Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102 PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057. For more information on the fund, visit www.semperfifund.org.
Ellie