Best Wishes for SFC Nelson (now MSG Nelson)

Glad to see this, Mark. I've been wondering.

Kick ass!!!! Thanks for the update.

Best wishes to Todd and his wife through these tough times.

Thanks for the update Mark.

Best wishes to Todd on his recovery.

What a guy. . . amazing.
Thanks for the update Mark, and look forward to the next.

That's wonderful news, Mark. My best wishes to Todd for
his continuing recovery. You da man, Todd!

Best wishes...

Dear Mark:

Apparently, I missed your prior postings about Todd. For this, please accept my apologies.

Please pass on to Todd that my prayers, thoughts and hopes are with him and his extended family, as well as my appreciation for his service as an America soldier.

I can say this with particular appreciation for Todd's dedication and sacrifices as I have two sons in the Army. Thad is an EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) tech. He just returned from Baghdad and is scheduled to go to Mosul this fall for his third deployment. Micah is a Chinook helicopter pilot and will probably be deployed to Iraq sometime later this year.

Best regards,
Tom Stocker

A bit of an update and a sad bit of news.

First, A random number of climbers always seem to ask as I see them around the crags: "How's the bro?". My brother is currently recovering from another surgery that addressed rebuilding ear, nose, throat. He's doing well resting & traveling as well as working within the wounded warriors unit.

So, Thanks!

Second, a marine has passed after losing his battle after many surgeries and many months of ICU; he really was a great guy to be around at BAMC. Sgt. Merlin German was 22.

cnn.com/2008/US/05/02/obit.…

merlinsmiracles.com/

Life just sucks sometimes; but it certainly gives a person some perspective.

I wish all the best to SFC Nelson. Thanks for everything you've given for us. I pray you have an excellent recovery. I would worry too, when my sister was over in Iraq and Afganistan. Take care and best of luck to you SFC Nelson.

I just saw the article about Merlin. Being a Former Marine myself Semper Fi! As I read in the article he had a phenominal attitude regardless of the position he was in. Amazing. Having the day I am having I needed to be slapped back to realty.

I wish the best to your brother and the family as I know they go thru it to. And in case it hasn't been said enough... THANK YOU!

Was reading some of the things over the past year & thinking about the Caylor family being reunited this season. Man, what an experience with this.

My last post regarding this ended on a sad note with Merlin. But life does move on. Todd has had a pretty remarkable recovery & one that entailed a large skin transplant procedure in August with another procedure beginning of Dec. Which will continue on through the next year and I may be changing the title to MSG.

I figured I'd send along their warm wishes.

I'm very glad to see your brother is coming along well in his rehab. He is one tough dude. His sacrifices are truly appreciated. Thanks again for everything SFC Nelson. Wishing you all the best and a Merry Christmas.

Mark,

Best wishes for a merry Christmas and happy New Year, for you and especially for your amazing brother and his wife!

Shawn

Merry Christmas Mark, to you, your brother and your families.

This is a very moving thread! Thank you.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight;
The sparkling lights in the tree, I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eye when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood; his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

“What are you doing?” I asked without fear
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said, “It’s really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.

So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.'

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.

- Michael Marks, edited from 'A Soldier's Christmas' - Veterans' Poetry Archives

To SFC Nelson and all of the brave men & women who are serving during this holiday season,
Thank you & Merry Christmas

Mark
Glad to hear your brother is doing okay.
Sorry about the other soldier. Unfortunately about a half
dozen more have died in Iraq this week.

Peace on earth.

Todd, Thank you for the freedoms we all enjoy because of the the sacrifices people like you have made. Get well soon and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Best Wishes,
Robert

Putting a bit of closure on this. Todd is basically healed as much as can be expected. He will have a couple more airway & facial surguries; but he's pretty much good to go.

A few weeks ago, he received formal promotion to Master Sgt (E-8). We went down to BAMC again and noticed a few more additions to the complex. They will be adding another hospital type structure & making the complex SAMMC -- San Antonio Military Medical Center.

They also added the Warrior Family Support Center (WooF-SaCk) -- a large community center which was previously a one room tv lounge in the guest housing dorm. Now, they have this huge building (kitchens, movie/tv room, computer complex, meeting rooms, lounge areas, outside patio areas, etc) to get away from the hospital & rehab center. All of which, SAMMC, is a combination of private and govt effort to help our troops.

returningheroeshome.org/

Anyway, he's good to go. Hopefully, this thread has served to inform and educate as to wounding & recovery of combat burn trauma, what is being done to help our troops outside of the hospital setting, and to offer thanks for your support for one of the good guys.

True warrior spirit.

Best wishes Todd!

Quite impressive, there aren't many E-9s out there, probably more Generals than E-9s! I wish him the best in reaching this goal.

One tough guy.