OCR Text |
Show HILLTOP TIMES A Marine's story of miraculous survival BY RACHEL FRIEDMAN Newsandexperts.com COLUMBIA, MO. — While most of us sleep, they stand guard. While we drive to work, they search for roadside IED's. While we raid the fridge for snacks, they hunt for terrorists. "They" are U.S. soldiers and Marines. The Department of Defense reports that nearly 4,800 American troops have been killed and more than 33,000 have been wounded in Afghanistan and Iraq since both operations started in 2001 and 2003 respectively. For many Americans, the casualties evoke a sense of fleeting sadness that often fades by the end of the evening news. But for the families of our troops, anxiety and fear are constant companions. Connie McClellan is an intimate acquaintance of heart-stopping fear. She's received alarming news three times since her son, Marine Lance Corp. John McClellan, deployed overseas. The first two messages came just days apart. Her son was shot two times — in the same arm — in a one week period while serving as a machine gunner in Afghanistan. He wasn't seriously injured in either incident. But on Sept. 11,2006, he deployed to Iraq. And his luck appeared to take a turn ... for the worse. "Our phone rang just after midnight and I expected John on the other end," McClellan said. "But it was a doctor from the hospital in Balad, Iraq. John had been shot through the head. I could feel the blood drain from my face as he told me if John survived the brain swelling, he would probably be a vegetable." McClellan, author of the new book, "My Miracle Marine" (Divine Word Publishing www.mymiraclemarine.com), was devastated. She immediately turned to her own "troops" for support. She went to her computer and wrote an email explaining that an enemy sniper's bullet had pierced her 20-year-old son's skull, forcing doctors to remove bone fragments and damaged brain tissue. "I asked them to pray for a miracle," McClellan said. "I also asked them very specifically to pray for God to heal John and make him whole in every way; physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. I sent that e-mail to everyone in my address book." The next day brought encouraging news. John's brain swelling was kept to a minimum. He had cleared the first fallen log so to speak, but he was still so very far from being out of the woods. Within days, John was airlifted to Bethesda National Naval Medical Center. "At this point, he'd already defied the odds, simply by surviving," McClellan said. "But his doctors didn't know if he'd be able to breathe on his TIMES December 24, 2008 SHOW From page 1 own, or use his vocal cords. He faced over twenty-four serious and potentially debilitating problems. So I kept e-mailing updates and continued leading my online group in detailed prayers." During John's 26 days at Bethesda, he made dramatic improvements. His mom made extraordinary progress, too. Her emails circled the globe while she made the rounds at the hospital. "Many people don't realize how quickly families bond while sharing the ICU Waiting Room," McCleUan said. "Our victories and setbacks became a shared experience. I included prayer requests for other patients in my e-mails. And it worked! When medical options hit a wall, we witnessed miracles." John went on to spend 27 days at the James A. Haley V.A. Hospital in Tampa, Fla., where he learned to walk again. For a Marine whose prognosis looked utterly grim, John's recovery is miraculous. But his mother isn't exactly surprised. "While John battled his injuries, I never lost faith; I never doubted," McClellan said. "The message is that all things are possible with God. There's hope for everyone no matter what they're going through." McClellan hopes her family's story provides encouragement for troops* families and for anyone else who's struggling — especially when the sadness isn't fleeting. AAFES delivers Troops' 'favorite things' this holiday season Army & Air Force Exchange Service Corporate Communications D ALLAS — Energy drinks, beef jerky, candy bars and DVDs. These items topped the wish lists of American troops shopping at more than 80 Army and Air Force Exchange Service locations throughout Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. In fact, Soldiers, Airmen, Marines and Sailors picked up nearly four million Monster Energy drinks, more than one million Red Bulls and scores of Snickers and Slim Jims in the past year. By visiting www.aafes.org or calling (800) 527-2345, any American can ensure that troops' stockings are full of the things they want this holiday season by sending an AAFES gift card, redeemable at BXs and PXs around the world. "With the holiday season upon us, many military families will have to spend this very special time of year separated from loved ones," said AAFES1 Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Jeffry Helm. "An AAFES gift card not only helps bridge that gap and improve the morale of troops, but also ensures that they are able to get exactly what they want while reducing shipping expenses for military supporters." AAFES gift cards and gift certificates, up to $500, can be sent to individual service members (designated by the purchaser) or distributed to "any service member" through the Air Force Aid Society, American Red Cross, Fisher House Foundation Inc., Navy-Marine Corps Relief, USO or Soldiers Family Assistance Center. "I think it's great news," said Barbara Riddle, president of the Davis Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's a regional draw. People from all over this region can come and see the Thunderbirds, see Lagoon, Antelope Island — make a little vacation out of it." In addition to the Thunderbirds' performance, Team Hill plans to host several other events throughout the week. Tops in Blue, an all-a'ctive-duty Air Force special unit made up of talented amateur performers, will perform, as will the U.S. Air Force Academy's Band and Honor Guard Drill team. The Wasatch Front region was one of three selected by Air Force Chief of Staff Norman A. Schwartz to host an Air Force Week next year. Kevin Ireland is the director of Ogden's George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park and the liaison between the base and the Weber and Davis chambers of commerce. He said earlier that the 2009 show will be a cooperative effort between the federal government and business community. The "Air Force Week" designation offers the event some federal funding. The Hill Open House has been a popular tradition since 1956. The last air show at Hill was in 2006 and brought in an estimated 338,000 spectators. The 2008 show was canceled when the Thunderbirds couldn't be scheduled to attend. FREE CLASSIFIED AD* Place an item for sale in the Quality Consignments Store and receive a FREE Classified ad! ffier Benches ome ocoa DOOR BUSTERS ¥1 CHAIRS Many Styles to Choose From FROM HAND HELD SHOWER HEADS Chrome or White fn, Center wftii- $30 JUMPER CABLES LIMITED QUANTITIES ii i_ • ' tl— ti- ll x 12' Id . -^VVVV^'''f V •" TV ONLY NEW WINTER HOURS: MON-FRI: NOON-6PM SATURDAY: 10AM-2PM 548 W . 300 N., Ogden 548 W. 300 H. BDO Ogden QUALITY CONSIGNMENTS Warehouse Outlet www.qualityconsignments.net -j 2ND STREET S'JSU&fwutl B-iiWO I — - 3 BLOCKS NORTH OF THE STANDARD-EXAMINER Transportation available from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. "Movers Who Care." Serving Northern Utah 444-9213 TO SELL YOUR ITEMS CALL 801-625-4300 |