AMERICAN HERO AWARD NOMINEE - Eddie Ryan
Sgt. Eddie Ryan, USMC, had wanted to be a Marine since he was twelve. I certainly understand that. I shared that dream myself. So after High School, just like me he joined the Corps. Our similarities ended there.
In September of 2002 he went to Iraq. He came home, went to sniper training, and then returned to Iraq in March of 2005. He was accidentally shot twice on April 13, 2005 by his own men. One shot hit him in the head. The other hit him in the jaw.
Amazingly, against all the odds and the doctor's predictions, Eddie survived. After VA hospitals, his family took him to the Helen Hayes Hospital in West Haverstraw, NY.
I update about Eddie often. Recently, Eddie "wrote" me a letter of personal thanks! I will always cherish his letter. I just got an update on my blog, Hello Iraq, from one of his friend, BrianJ from Pine Bush:
"I visited Eddie last week, bring him his piece of the Marine Corps birthday cake. (A Marine tradition). He looks great - has lost weight - and has challenged me to do the same! His progress is amazing. He told me about runs with his dad, warned me that drinking beer would dehydrate me - he is everything the Marine Corps is about. His family continues to awe me with their faith and dedication to helping Eddie get better.
The hospital continues to make recovery difficult - cutting therapy sessions back because, in the words of a doctor who never saw Eddie He has reached a plateau. EVERY time I visit Eddie he has improved... SEMPER FIDELIS!"
Sgt. Eddie Ryan is my hero. He never gives up! Still, he encourages others.
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