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U.S. Marine Becomes First Blind Double Amputee to Re-Enlist (awe-inspiring)
foxnews.com ^ | April 09, 2010

Posted on 04/09/2010 9:30:49 PM PDT by rawhide

He has no legs and no eyesight, but Marine Cpl. Matthew Bradford has four more years of military service ahead of him after becoming the first blind double-amputee to re-enlist.

The rifleman was injured in January 2007 in Iraq when a roadside bomb exploded right under him, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

But after years at the Center for the Intrepid, a privately funded, cutting-edge rehabilitation center, Bradford, 23, has learned to walk with prosthetic limbs and navigate without his vision, and he only regrets that he can’t return to combat duty in Iraq, the paper reported.

Instead the Kentucky native will head to Camp Lejeune, N.C., where he will work with other wounded Marines in hopes of helping them cope with anger, depression and other issues.

"I'm paving the road for the rest of them who want to stay in but think they can't," he told the Express-News. "I'm ready to get back to work."

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: amputee; blind; iraq; marine; reenlist; troops; wot
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Corporal Matthew Bradford is sworn in by Lt. Col. David Barnes as he re-enlists in the Marines at Ft. Sam Houston, Texas April 7, 2010. Tom Reel/Staff

1 posted on 04/09/2010 9:30:49 PM PDT by rawhide
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To: rawhide

Dayum.....God Bless ‘em....

OORAH!


2 posted on 04/09/2010 9:32:22 PM PDT by rottndog (WOOF!!! Be prepared for what's coming AFTER America.....)
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To: rawhide

Examples like this man are why I have little patience with the myriad secessionist threads that have popped up here.

I see what this man has given for his country and still will give, and I will not rest until the country is worthy of him.


3 posted on 04/09/2010 9:49:48 PM PDT by IrishCatholic (No local Communist or Socialist Party Chapter? Join the Democrats, it's the same thing!)
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To: IrishCatholic

When I sit at the dinner table and have to talk around subjects that might worry my children like health insurance or Daddy’s job, I can understand why people wonder if this country will be pushed to the breaking point. Talking of secession as a last resort is not unpatriotic. People are genuinely concerned and alarmed and do not know what the future holds. They see their country crumbling all around them. They wonder what they would do should their neighbor ask them to help defend them. The criminal cabal in Washington is not going to give up its power easily and it has a death grip. It’s aim is to dismantle America and replace it with something that is unrecognizable to most Americans.

I know why you give this man honor. But remember, Obama would use him as a photo op, he sees no dignity and honor in military service. He does not respect this man or his sacrifice. He is throwing away the very freedoms that this man fought for in battle.


4 posted on 04/09/2010 9:59:21 PM PDT by Pan_Yans Wife
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To: IrishCatholic

I thank God for this young man and his selfless service to our GREAT NATION!! Cpl. Bradford, you’re one of my HEROES!!!


5 posted on 04/09/2010 9:59:55 PM PDT by az.b1bbomberfxr
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To: IrishCatholic

As a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict there is no way I would enlist today with the Communist Coward-in-Chief as my Commanding Officer.

I well understand what brings the secessionist threads out in the open.


6 posted on 04/09/2010 10:08:23 PM PDT by B4Ranch (Should people be questioning their government? Yes and "Where's the birth certificate?")
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To: rawhide

Now there’s a man with guts. Wow!


7 posted on 04/09/2010 10:09:34 PM PDT by Outlaw Woman (Control the American people? Herding cats would be easier.)
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To: rawhide

Armies are to secure victory, kill people and break things.

Armies cannot retain all the injured and complete the mission.


8 posted on 04/09/2010 10:25:12 PM PDT by donna (SarahPAC has donated money to...(wait for it)...Lindsey Graham!)
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To: donna

Should we get rid of the Chaplains then?


9 posted on 04/09/2010 10:56:33 PM PDT by smokingfrog (Free Men will always be armed with the Truth.)
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To: smokingfrog

The blind ones.


10 posted on 04/09/2010 10:58:54 PM PDT by donna (SarahPAC has donated money to...(wait for it)...Lindsey Graham!)
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To: IrishCatholic

“I see what this man has given for his country and still will give, and I will not rest until the country is worthy of him.”


The probelm now is, after he has given himself for his country, what kind of country will he have given himself for?

Will he have given himself for a country that allows sodomites to openly corrupt the morale of the U.S. military?

Will he have given himself for a country that takes moms away from their babies and puts them in a combat zone?

Will he have given himself for socialism and neo-nazi-ism from the federal government?


11 posted on 04/09/2010 11:02:22 PM PDT by John Leland 1789 (Grateful)
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To: rawhide
I'll likely get flamed for saying what needs to be said but here goes. The man will always be a Marine. But he can not meet the physical requirements to be a member of the United States Armed Forces. Two decades ago the manpower levels it would not have mattered. Today it matters. Troops are doing third, fourth, and fifth time deployments to Iraq and or Afghanistan. I doubt any Freeper in here saw that much of Nam. Maybe a few but not the rule.

Give the man a job doing what is mentioned in this article? Yes! But do it right for all concerned. Make him a civilian Tech Rep. Also give him his due pension and compensation for injury. But folks the physical requirements and standards of the armed forces are there for a very good reason. He is being allowed this as a political pawn.

12 posted on 04/09/2010 11:18:59 PM PDT by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: cva66snipe
In callous terms, it is probably cheaper to keep him on Active Duty, vice giving him a civilian sallary.

Allowing him to stay in uniform shows him he is not forgotten and allows other Wounded Warriors to see him overcome his obstacles. It gives hope to those WW Marines that may be able to return to full duty. Nothing like seeing a brother in arms IN UNIFORM overcoming obstacles for you to srive to do the same. Also, it llows him to work with those WW that need therapy before being released into the civilian world. Lastly, it probably helps him with therapy before he enters the civilian world.

I imagine programs like these will also help decrease suicide rates of wounded veterans. WW is not not political.

13 posted on 04/10/2010 1:21:30 AM PDT by Repeat Offender (While the wicked stand confounded, call me with Thy Saints surrounded)
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To: rawhide

God Bless this Marine.

For every Corporal Bradford, there are twenty slackjaw ne’er do wells who routinely say “I ain’t ever fighting for this country.”


14 posted on 04/10/2010 3:44:06 AM PDT by Molon Labbie
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To: rawhide
I can see where the Corporal could play an important role in assisting in the rehab of wounded Marines and,at the same time,inspire them...thus enhansing their morale.
15 posted on 04/10/2010 5:41:51 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Host The Beer Summit-->Win The Nobel Peace Prize!)
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To: rottndog
A finer example of the mettle, determination and GUTS that makes up America's best and brightest in our military you'll never find.

God bless and keep him safe from all further harm, and thank you for your service!

16 posted on 04/10/2010 5:44:34 AM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: B4Ranch
As a veteran of the Viet Nam Conflict...

Thank you for your service to our Country and welcome home.

17 posted on 04/10/2010 5:48:04 AM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: Molon Labbie
For every Corporal Bradford, there are twenty slackjaw ne’er do wells who routinely say “I ain’t ever fighting for this country.”

For every Corporal Bradford, there are one hundred (or so) bureaucrats in the Obama Administration destroying the country that he fought for.

Sad, but true.

18 posted on 04/10/2010 5:51:37 AM PDT by usconservative (When The Ballot Box No Longer Counts, The Ammunition Box Does. (What's In Your Ammo Box?))
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To: Molon Labbie

“For every Corporal Bradford, there are twenty slackjaw ne’er do wells who routinely say “I ain’t ever fighting for this country.””

Really? Is that another one of your guesses or are you basing that on something.

From my observations theres 20 of this kind of guy to every pot smokin hippie.


19 posted on 04/10/2010 7:21:36 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
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To: driftdiver
From my observations theres 20 of this kind of guy to every pot smokin hippie.

I like your math better.
20 posted on 04/10/2010 8:47:52 AM PDT by rottndog (WOOF!!! Be prepared for what's coming AFTER America.....)
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