What an astonishing man. Here’s a Marine who was burned over 97% of his body from a roadside blast in Iraq on February 21, 2005. He survived until last Friday. This man of tremendous courage and inner strength was mentoring and helping others who were burned at BAMC. Sgt. German truly is a HERO!

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

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.

snip….. “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.

Read the story…..

Also check out Merlin’s Miracles

h/t James S Robbins at The Corner

Technorati Tags: Miracle Man, Sgt Merlin German, USMC, BAMC, Support the Troops, Someone You should know, Hero