Marine who lost limbs has surgery

Article published - May 10, 2008
AROUND THE EMPIRE - PETALUMA
Marine who lost limbs has surgery

Critically wounded Marine Cpl. Steven Kiernan of Petaluma underwent surgery Friday morning at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

The 20-year-old Petaluma High graduate lost his left foot and right leg below the knee in a blast while on patrol in Fallujah, Iraq, on Sunday. He had surgeries on both legs Friday, including amputation of his right knee and part of his thigh, according to his mother.

In an e-mail, Kim Petersen said her son was doing well. On Friday, the family toured Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, where Kiernan eventually will go for rehabilitation.

"What a place. Very impressive," she wrote. "The Marines here are extremely helpful, and now I really know what Semper Fi really means. They live it here." The Marine motto is Latin shorthand for "always faithful."

Friends are encouraged to send cards only to Marine Cpl. Steven Kiernan, 5th Floor, Room 9, National Naval Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889-5600.

Ellie