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Heroes

Posted on May 1, 2008 | Filed Under In My Opinion... 

Continuing my dedication to our nations heroic Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen as they put themselves on the line for US in the War on Terror in Iraq. This particular hero wasn’t a Medal of Honor recipient. In fact - he was not awarded any particularly high medal for his service and sacrifice. No - he is a hero by virtue of his spirit and dedication to his comrades in arms and his country. Unfortunately, he died last week from yet another surgery to repair his wounds. Rest in peace, sir - we are grateful for your service to your country.

BAMC’s ‘Miracle Man’ didn’t let injuries hurt his spirit

Posted: 04/16/2008 12:23 AM CDT
Scott Huddleston
Express-News

To the doctors, staff and patients, he was a walking beacon of hope, having survived burns to 97 percent of his body from a roadside blast in Iraq. Though he died unexpectedly after a surgery last week, the indomitable spirit of Sgt. Merlin German lives on at Brooke Army Medical Center, friends and family members said during a touching tribute to the Marine called the “Miracle Man.”

In his three years at BAMC — first a record 17 months in inpatient care, then more than a year in outpatient therapy — German was a living legend whose inspiring determination drew the interest of President Bush, actor Chuck Norris and other VIPs he met. Everything about him, from sarcastic one-liners to his color-coordinated medical garments, will be missed at BAMC, which has treated more than 3,700 troops wounded in the Middle East.

“There is no way to adequately describe what Merlin did for us,” said Lt. Col. Evan Renz, director of the Army Burn Center at BAMC.

German, who was living in Windcrest, died Friday night after routine surgery Thursday to place skin on his lip, BAMC officials said. Results of an autopsy are pending.

The youngest of eight children growing up in New York, Merlin and his brothers weren’t allowed to play with toy guns, his brother Ariel German said. By age 11, he had decided he’d become a Marine so he could shoot a real gun.

He turned out to be an outstanding gunner in the Marines, with a knack for spotting hidden explosives in Iraq. On Feb. 21, 2005, on a reconnaissance mission, his Humvee was hit by an explosive near Ramadi.

German survived a 13-hour flight from Germany but was only given a 3 percent chance of survival. All but the top of his head and soles of his feet had been burned. But after 11 months in intensive care, he’d visit new burn patients, encouraging them to keep heart.

(Eric Gay/AP)

Burn patient Merlin German with Lt. Gen. James F. Amos during a promotion ceremony last May at BAMC. The cause of the sergeant’s death was pending the return of autopsy results.

Tuesday’s ceremony paid tribute to the 22-year-old who seemed a study in contradiction — a tough Marine whose tenderness showed in the affections he showered on his mother. He loved loud hip-hop music but prayed three or four times daily.

“Love is the only word strong and powerful enough to describe how we all felt about Merlin,” said Brig. Gen. James K. Gilman, BAMC commander.

Gilman said he’ll miss seeing German and gently bumping his fist against the nubs of what had once been German’s fingers, after asking him, “Hey man, how ya doing?” But he said German left behind words for BAMC’s staff and patients to live by when times get rough.

“If Merlin were here today, there is no doubt in my mind what he would say: ‘Fight through, stay strong and overcome because we are warriors,’” Gilman said.

Continued…

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