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Remembering Sgt. Merlin German
(May 9, 2011) |
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New York, NY (MCN - 5/5/2011) -- April 30, 2011 marked a
special occasion for New York City to leave a lasting
memorial to an incredible Marine at the very street where he
grew up.
 Family
members of Sgt Merlin German, elected officials, clergy, and
friends gathered at Washington Heights to celebrate the
renaming of the southwest corner of St. Nicholas Avenue and
189th West Street to Sgt. Merlin German Way.
“Let's
take this day as a celebration of Merlin's life, not a
memorialization,” said Norma Guerra, the Executive Director
of “Merlin's Miracles.” “This is what Merlin would have
wanted.”
Friends, family and Marines alike all
remembered German as a witty jokester, positive, and
tenaciously determined, even after the attack he suffered in
Iraq in February 2005.
The roadside bomb inflicted
burns to over 97 percent of German's body, all but leaving
the top of his head, a part of his shoulder and the soles of
his feet untouched. It was a miracle that he survived the
injury, yet alone lived to tell the tale. Despite his
physical, mental and emotional struggles, German always made
his rounds to motivate fellow brothers and sisters in arms
during his treatment and rehabilitation period at the burn
unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. |
Recruiting Station New York (4/30/2011) -- Hemery German, New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat, Manhattan Borough President Ydanis Rodriguez, Lourdes German, Marines from the 1st Marine Corps District and Norma Guerra pose with the new street name “Sgt. Merlin German Way.” Hemery
and Lourdes are the parents of Sgt. Merlin German.
Photo by USMC Cpl.
Colby Brown |
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"Sometimes I do think I can't do it," German said
once during an Associated Press interview. "Then I
think: Why not? I can do whatever I want."
German's no-nonsense humor, fashion sense and
entrepreneurial skills were utilized to design a
T-shirt while he was at Brooke. On the front it
read: "Got 3 percent chance of survival, what ya
gonna do?" The back read, "a) Fight Through, b) Stay
Strong, c) Overcome Because I Am a Warrior, d) All
Of The Above." Option "d" was German's choice.
After conquering three years and more than 100
surgical procedures, German died April 11, 2008 at
the age of 22. Before his death, German |
founded a charity called “Merlin's
Miracles” to help child burn victims have a
better quality of life through toys, necessities, or
trips to dream destinations such as Disney World.
Through his generosity, German left a lasting legacy
for future generations.
“Merlin was
born many years ago during a difficult time in this
community,” said New York Senator Adriano Espaillat.
“He could have been irresponsible with his family,
but he chose to join the United States Marine Corps.
What a great American! The United States Marine
Corps has a theme: 'Always Faithful' and I think
that's the script of Merlin's life. He was always
faithful to the Marine Corps and to the community.
He is one of us and he sacrificed his life. What a
great American.”
Lourdes German is proud of
her son's accomplishments. She always knew her son
was going to serve in the military and she was proud
to find out that her son was a Marine after he
enlisted.
“I love and adore the Marines,”
said Lourdes. “They've been exceptional throughout
this whole process—when it happened, after it
happened, and when he was no longer with us. Every
time I see that uniform I get so excited. I'm so
grateful that my son is a Marine because as my son
would say, ‘the Marines are the toughest ones.'”
Lourdes chuckled as she reminisced.
“When
Merlin was in the hospital, I remember this one
time,” reflected Lourdes. “It was five o'clock in
the evening and they were bringing down the flag.
Merlin looked out the window as they were bringing
down the flag and he told me, ‘Mom, for that flag
I'll die.'”
When German did ultimately died,
he left a legacy of helping others as New York
City's "Miracle Marine." |
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By USMC Sgt. Jin Hyun Lee
Recruiting Station New York
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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