MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Marines from Naval Medical Center San Diego and Camp Pendleton Naval Hospitals have been wined, dined, and treated better than some could have ever dreamed.
The Marines Corps League, the Armed Forces Young Men’s Christian Organization, and American Heroes of Freedom are just a few organizations coordinating with the Marine liaisons at both hospitals to give injured Marines the opportunity to take part in fun activities with other service members and their families.
The Marines, who were injured in combat and training incidents, were invited to attend the filming of Country Music Television’s concert special “Outlaws” airing Sept. 3.
The concert, filmed Aug. 17, featured performances from country music legends Merle Haggard, Shelby Lynne, Toby Keith and David Allan Coe.
“I thought (the concert) was awesome,” said Lance Cpl. Michael Langston, who sang along to his idol, Coe, as he performed.
Langston, a 21-year-old from Balboa, with the Medical Holding Platoon, suffered from a herniated disk in his spine just a few weeks shy of returning home from a seven-month deployment to Iraq.
After re-injuring his back while training with Battery I, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment for re-deployment, Langston underwent surgery, weeks of physical therapy and is now waiting to find out what will happen to his career in the Marine Corps, while working at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.
The radio operator from Chiefland, Fla., also attended an outing sponsored by the organization American Heroes of Freedom in Pasadena.
Another group of Marines were given the oppurtunity to chow down on 200 wings donated by Hooters, followed by an evening filled with laughter at the Ice House Comedy Club, where comedians Shayma Tash and Steve McGrew entertained them with side - splitting jokes.
“I think it is really amazing that people actually care and are willing to donate so much,” said Langston.
Susan Brewer, founder and president of AHOF, says that “It’s great to be able to do for them one night of what we do every day.”
“I consider it an honor to help them,” said Brewer, who became dedicated to helping servicemembers through events like this and saw wounded personnel coming off a C-17 transport plane.
Langston isn’t the only Marine grateful to organizations like AHOF for their contributions.
“It is a great feeling to know how much people support us,” said Cpl. Kelley P. Orman, a former landing support specialist with 3rd Transport Support Battalion in Okinawa Japan.
Orman was injured when he slipped and fell on a platform during a run.
Although he suffered no external trauma, the fall caused Orman a shattered skull and swelling and bruising of his brain. Due to his injuries, he is not sure if he will be able to finish the remainder of his enlistment contract, as he would like.
Though he doesn’t know exactly how things will work out, Orman said the general consensus among the Marines is gratitude to the people that are willing to put their time, energy and money into hosting events like the concert and their trip to the Ice House.
“I am a fan of stand up, but I never thought I would go to a place that big and see comedians as well known as the ones we saw,” said Orman.
For more information, visit the American Heroes of Freedom website at www.americasheroes.us.
E-MAIL
lynn.murillo@usmc.mi