thedrifter
01-31-09, 07:16 AM
A Super Bowl thank you to injured servicemembers
Last Edited: Friday, 30 Jan 2009, 11:05 PM EST
Created: Friday, 30 Jan 2009, 10:55 PM EST
TAMPA -- A group of wounded Marines arrived at Tampa International Airport Friday afternoon after a long journey from the Middle East to Tampa.
It's a trip of thousands of miles, and an immeasurable distance for the soul.
"November 9th, 2:45pm, I was shot through the back of the head," Corporal Brandon Burns said.
"One-third of my brain was gone, and from Fallujah to Baghdad, I died five times. But the Lord had a purpose for me."
He and 40 members of the Marine Corp's Wounded Warrier Regiment arrived to TIA for Super Bowl. The Cleveland Browns donate tickets to the Marines ever year as a thank-you for their service, which Captain Leticia Reyes describes as priceless.
"Obviously what they've been through can't be matched. They've seen it all. They've been in combat fighting for their country and defending the life that we know," said Captain Reyes.
The regiment is made up of Marines injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. One marine lost both legs in Iraq, one month after he got there. It was his first tour. His is just one story.
"I was looking for IEDs, and my batteries died in my detector," said Marine Justin Knowles, whose left leg is amputated at the knee. "I stood next to a steel door and I thought there was nothing there. I stepped on an IED."
The young Marines later gathered at the Lutz Marriott with older Marines, part of the Marine Corp League. The League organized the reception to give the wounded warriors a proper welcome to Super Bowl city.
"We're home and we're going to look out for them," said Vietnam Veteran Tom Herron.
Vietnam Veteran Bill Cona says this is what he tells injured Marines: "There's two words. We simply say Semper Fi. Always faithful."
A surprise encounter with former Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield lightened the mood and reminded everyone of what's ahead.
"We're going to root for the underdog. We're going to go for the Cardinals," said Marine Jeremy Stengel, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Marines will go to the game Sunday. They'll also check out celebrity flag football and Busch Gardens.
Ellie
Last Edited: Friday, 30 Jan 2009, 11:05 PM EST
Created: Friday, 30 Jan 2009, 10:55 PM EST
TAMPA -- A group of wounded Marines arrived at Tampa International Airport Friday afternoon after a long journey from the Middle East to Tampa.
It's a trip of thousands of miles, and an immeasurable distance for the soul.
"November 9th, 2:45pm, I was shot through the back of the head," Corporal Brandon Burns said.
"One-third of my brain was gone, and from Fallujah to Baghdad, I died five times. But the Lord had a purpose for me."
He and 40 members of the Marine Corp's Wounded Warrier Regiment arrived to TIA for Super Bowl. The Cleveland Browns donate tickets to the Marines ever year as a thank-you for their service, which Captain Leticia Reyes describes as priceless.
"Obviously what they've been through can't be matched. They've seen it all. They've been in combat fighting for their country and defending the life that we know," said Captain Reyes.
The regiment is made up of Marines injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. One marine lost both legs in Iraq, one month after he got there. It was his first tour. His is just one story.
"I was looking for IEDs, and my batteries died in my detector," said Marine Justin Knowles, whose left leg is amputated at the knee. "I stood next to a steel door and I thought there was nothing there. I stepped on an IED."
The young Marines later gathered at the Lutz Marriott with older Marines, part of the Marine Corp League. The League organized the reception to give the wounded warriors a proper welcome to Super Bowl city.
"We're home and we're going to look out for them," said Vietnam Veteran Tom Herron.
Vietnam Veteran Bill Cona says this is what he tells injured Marines: "There's two words. We simply say Semper Fi. Always faithful."
A surprise encounter with former Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield lightened the mood and reminded everyone of what's ahead.
"We're going to root for the underdog. We're going to go for the Cardinals," said Marine Jeremy Stengel, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
The Marines will go to the game Sunday. They'll also check out celebrity flag football and Busch Gardens.
Ellie