thedrifter
04-30-06, 08:26 AM
Marine invasion - for a good cause
Volunteers landscape injured Iraq vet's yard, bring him a new Harley
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Angela D. Chatman
Plain Dealer Reporter
Dan Priestley got a home makeover, Marine Corps-style.
The staff sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves was confused when his wife, Lisa, woke him at 7:30 Saturday morning. But the confusion dissipated when he saw retired Marines arriving on motorcycles with heavy equipment to work on the front and back yards of his Parma home.
Months ago, Priestley said he wanted to fix up his yard and play with his sons.
He also planned to ride a motorcycle again, just like he did before his wife became pregnant with their second son.
But he was not able to do much of that.
Priestley, a 12-year member of the Marines, was deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment in February 2005.
Three months later, he nearly lost his legs and died when his unit came under enemy mortar fire while patrolling north of Baghdad.
He has since had 22 painful operations that saved his legs. Two more are scheduled this summer.
Dozens of people descended on the modest Brookdale Avenue home early Saturday, including more than 20 members of the Leathernecks Motor Club International Inc., from as far away as Columbus, Lorain and Mentor. Their wives, girlfriends and children joined them, as did representatives of organizations that donated products and services to the cause.
In addition to $6,000 in landscaping work, the club arranged for the Priestleys to get a flagpole, a new patio, a stainless-steel grill, and a play set for their two sons, Garett, 6, and Tyler, 2.
But the highlight came just before noon, when Priestley took the seat and grabbed the handlebars of his new Harley-Davidson Deuce. Bedford's South East Harley-Davidson cut the price of the $22,000 motorcycle to about $17,000. Priestley's Marine friends raised money to defray some of that cost. "Rev it up, Dan," one man yelled.
"Ride it like you stole it," said another, as Priestley took a brief ride on the royal blue and chrome machine.
"I've seen people help people before, but not like this," said 84-year-old neighbor Frank Crish, who retired from the Army in 1961 after serving 22 years.
Priestley is expected to ride his Harley again today when the Leathernecks gather on Public Square for a rally for the troops.
The plan was to keep the surprises rolling, Leathernecks organizer Tim DeWolf said.
Priestly savored the friendship of his military brothers. He remains in the military and hopes to pass a physical fitness test that will allow him to continue to serve.
"That's the one reason why I stay in the Marine Corps. All these guys are outstanding," he said.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
achatman@plaind.com, 216-999-4115
Ellie
Volunteers landscape injured Iraq vet's yard, bring him a new Harley
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Angela D. Chatman
Plain Dealer Reporter
Dan Priestley got a home makeover, Marine Corps-style.
The staff sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves was confused when his wife, Lisa, woke him at 7:30 Saturday morning. But the confusion dissipated when he saw retired Marines arriving on motorcycles with heavy equipment to work on the front and back yards of his Parma home.
Months ago, Priestley said he wanted to fix up his yard and play with his sons.
He also planned to ride a motorcycle again, just like he did before his wife became pregnant with their second son.
But he was not able to do much of that.
Priestley, a 12-year member of the Marines, was deployed to Iraq with the 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment in February 2005.
Three months later, he nearly lost his legs and died when his unit came under enemy mortar fire while patrolling north of Baghdad.
He has since had 22 painful operations that saved his legs. Two more are scheduled this summer.
Dozens of people descended on the modest Brookdale Avenue home early Saturday, including more than 20 members of the Leathernecks Motor Club International Inc., from as far away as Columbus, Lorain and Mentor. Their wives, girlfriends and children joined them, as did representatives of organizations that donated products and services to the cause.
In addition to $6,000 in landscaping work, the club arranged for the Priestleys to get a flagpole, a new patio, a stainless-steel grill, and a play set for their two sons, Garett, 6, and Tyler, 2.
But the highlight came just before noon, when Priestley took the seat and grabbed the handlebars of his new Harley-Davidson Deuce. Bedford's South East Harley-Davidson cut the price of the $22,000 motorcycle to about $17,000. Priestley's Marine friends raised money to defray some of that cost. "Rev it up, Dan," one man yelled.
"Ride it like you stole it," said another, as Priestley took a brief ride on the royal blue and chrome machine.
"I've seen people help people before, but not like this," said 84-year-old neighbor Frank Crish, who retired from the Army in 1961 after serving 22 years.
Priestley is expected to ride his Harley again today when the Leathernecks gather on Public Square for a rally for the troops.
The plan was to keep the surprises rolling, Leathernecks organizer Tim DeWolf said.
Priestly savored the friendship of his military brothers. He remains in the military and hopes to pass a physical fitness test that will allow him to continue to serve.
"That's the one reason why I stay in the Marine Corps. All these guys are outstanding," he said.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
achatman@plaind.com, 216-999-4115
Ellie