Every day in this country, seriously wounded service members are fighting a new battle. They went to Iraq to fight for this nation and they paid a huge price for their service. There are men and women in military hospitals across the country who are fighting every day just to stay alive. They went to a dangerous land and put their lives in jeopardy because they believed in defending this country. Now that they have come home with terrible injuries and find themselves and their families facing unimaginable struggles, we must not forget them or the debt we owe them. This is the story of one of those brave men, Marine Corporal David Emery, Jr.

On February 7th, 2007 Corporal David “DJ” Emery of the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines out of Camp Pendleton was manning a checkpoint when a terrorist approached the Marines. Sergeant Major Joseph Ellis suspected that it was a suicide bomber and immediately put himself between the terrorist and his Marines. The suicide bomber detonated himself and Sgt. Maj. Ellis was killed instantly. His selfless sacrifice saved DJ’s life. But DJ was gravely injured. He was hit in the abdomen, severing an artery that caused kidney failure. His legs and one arm were shattered. It was a fight to stabilize him enough to fly him to the military hospital in Germany. His young wife Leslie, who is pregnant their first baby, was flown out to Germany to meet him. DJ wasn’t stable enough for the flight back to the United States until the 18th.

DJ is being treated at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He has had a series of surgeries, but his prognosis is grim. Both of his legs have been amputated, his kidneys are not working and he continues to fight a life threatening infection. DJ and Leslie are expecting a little girl soon. A little girl who may never know her father.

This is just one story of the sacrifices our troops are making for our freedom. There are countless other men and women who are fighting terrible wounds suffered for this country. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the numbers of casualties and the politics of the war that even if we truly want to help, we don’t even know where to start. Here is a starting place. Open your heart to DJ and Leslie and their families. Send them your prayers, send them your support. Let them know they have not been forgotten. If you can help only one, then help one.