Someone You Should Know: Marine Sgt. Merlin German

Bruce McQuain from QandO joined us tonight for another edition of Someone You Should Know. This week, he told us the inspirational story of Marine Sgt. Merlin German,

More than a year after Sgt. Merlin German nearly died in a roadside bombing in Iraq, his hands burned into nubs and his body in a wheel chair, he resolved to walk into his San Antonio church on his own two feet.

His mother, Lourdes German, who had been “his hands and feet” since that day in February 2005, worried but knew it would be so. “Everything he did, he did himself,” Mrs. German, said. “That parish was just overjoyed. The pastor even stopped preaching to welcome Merlin.”

At this point in the story, you’re saying to yourself,” what a phenomenal young man.” He beat the longest odds you can imagine, did it with courage and grace and, as Dr. Renz said, inspired others during his ordeal.

But that wasn’t enough for Merlin German. The young man who had willed himself out of his wheelchair and onto his feet so he could walk into church had more work to do.

Known by those who treated him as “Miracle Man”, Merlin German had a vision to help burned children and their families. He wanted the foundation to be named “Merlin’s Miracles”. Sgt. German understood how critical the support he’d received from charities like the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund and Soldier’s Angels had been to his recovery, and he wanted to provide the same type of support for children who were burn victims.

The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Thanks to Matt, Bruce is now on board and we are lucky to have him as part of the show. All of our interviews are also available for download at iTunes and Podcast Alley via the Pundit Review Radio Podcast.

What is Pundit Review Radio?

Pundit Review Radio is where the old media meets the new. Each week Kevin and Gregg give voice to the work of the most influential leaders in the new media/citizen journalist revolution. Called “groundbreaking” by Talkers Magazine, this unique show brings the best of the blogs to your radio every Sunday evening from 7-10 pm EST on AM680 WRKO, Boston’s Talk Station.