In Heaven his countenance is clearly beautiful as seen by immortal eyes with vision that comprehends the whole being, and not just the outward appearance, as our eyes of flesh do here.
Posted on 05/02/2008 9:33:36 PM PDT by fishhound
May 2) - A Marine sergeant who became a symbol of resilience as he strove to recover from a roadside bomb blast in Iraq that blanketed 97 percent of his body with burns has died, the Defense Department said. He was 22. Sgt. Merlin German died April 11 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, where he was continuing treatment for the injuries he suffered in combat on Feb. 22, 2005, the Pentagon said Thursday.
The former turret gunner was dubbed the "Miracle Man" for his determination in facing his wounds, which cost the former saxophone player his fingers and rippled his face with scars. He endured more than 40 surgeries, spent 17 months in a hospital and had to learn to walk again.
Meanwhile, he started a charity, Merlin's Miracles, to aid child burn victims and considered college and a career.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.aol.com ...
"Sometimes I do think I can't do it," he told The Associated Press last year. "Then I think: Why not? I can do whatever I want. ... Nobody has ever been 97 percent dead and survived, and lived to walk."
Prayers dsaid = Prayers Said!
God bless him ping.
What a terrible loss for our nation. I hope he is where there is no pain, no sorrow, and no death any more.
God selects a very few to be His Honor Guard.
We mourn the loss, but God rejoices in the homecoming.
Forgive me if I sound stupid, but what actually killed him? It seems he had survived his burns and 40 surgeries, so I wonder what happened that caused his body to shut down. What it just the cumulative trauma?
Amen.
And left here is his charity that will help others.
I don’t know.
May God speed you home, Sgt. German, and may He comfort your family and loved ones. You made more of a mark with your life than a thousand lesser men.
Ping.
Prayers for this hero. God bless him and his family. His sacrifice does not go unknown.
God bless him and keep him forever, whole and happy and free of pain.
Very sad. I wonder what killed him. In the photo with the article, he looked very much as if he had “made it”. I think it’s pretty unusual for someone to die from burns 3 years after they occurred.
Burns and healing fill your body with toxins that cause damage to internal organs, if I remember correctly. The effects do not always heal.
He fought like a Marine.
Prayers for him and his family and friends.
I am not sure it is all that unusual for those types of terrible injuries to catch up with people, even later than that.
He is at peace now, God bless him.
God has His own agenda.
We are all foolish who second guess Him.
Wars are fought and won at His behest, even though we can’t understand His Logic. God knows all things fron the Beginning, and we are but instruments.
He is loved and Welcomed. God marks His own.
ping
Prayers for his family who have lost their loved one.
Lord, let Sgt. German Rest In Peace & free of pain.
“God knows all things fron the Beginning, and we are but instruments.”
Amen to that.
RIP, Sgt. German.
Semper Fi, Sergeant German.
Thankful prayers for God’s delivery and his call of this wonderful marine.
(How else can we be?)
Rest in peace, Marine....you’re in God’s hands now.
God bless you. You are a true hero.
The Marine stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, you Marine,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"
The Marine squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.
But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.
There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the Marine waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, Marine,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."
-By Unknown
God Bless you Marine, Rest well.
Thank you, Merlin. God rest your soul.
I CAN’T STOP CRYING.
What a WONDERFUL thing you have posted.
God Bless You.
Merlin’s Miracles BumP!
Prayers for all those who sacrificed so much that we may remain free and safe in our homes and lives..
Rest in His eternal peace, Sgt. Merlin German ...
Prayers said for his family!!!
Joining in with prayers here.
Tx, thank you for that beautifully written poem. Semper Fi, Sgt. German. Sleep well, in the Arms of God.
RIP IN PEACE....
Prayers for his family...
Sgt. Merlin German , May God have you with Him now, and may He bless and comfort the loved ones you were taken from.
My we remember you for your brave sacrifices, and may your country be found worthy of your blood and pain, that you have so bravely given to protect her.
That was nice for you to post.
Just a guess would be infection. Sometimes your immune system gets overwhelmed. Sometimes the doc gives immunosuppressants for rejection suppression also.
You fought valiantly Sergeant. Sometimes I feel this country does not deserve to have people like you to defend it. Rest In Peace Marine.
Semper Fi
God bless you Marine, and God keep you forever. You gave your life for this country, and no man can give a bigger gift than to lay down his life for his brothers. Rest now Marine, we will try to be as brave as you.
BTTT
Me, too. God loved David the most and he was a great soldier and king. Why did God love David? Because he was like God’s Only Son, who when He returns will not be the servant, but the King. When He returns, who will be with Him? Those who died for others, those who loved the most by laying down their lives for their friends.
Thomas Jefferson said that “the tree of liberty is nurtured by the blood of patriots and tyrants”. Sgt. German was a true patriot and when we look around and see the liberty we have we must remember and be thankful for Sgt. German and all the patriots who have gone before and after him.May he R.I.P.
So very sad. Prayers for this brave young man and his family.
Newsday reported “German, 22, died unexpectedly in San Antonio after a surgery to graft skin”
May Sgt. Merlin German rest in God’s peace. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
Prayers for and condolences to his family and friends.
Thank God for this hero! I join in prayer for his loved ones.
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