Rick,

There is a 2005 graduate, Andrew Kinard, who went into the Marine Corp and after The Basic School, shipped over to Iraq .  In October, he was critically wounded and lost both legs as well as has other medical issues as a result of an IED.  His sister, Katherine, has set-up a website that journals what is going on with Andrew as he goes through Bethesda & Walter Reed.  There is also a “guestbook” that anyone can write words of encouragement to Andrew.  I was hoping that those who feel comfortable would write some words of encouragement to Andrew as he's got a long, tough road ahead of him.  It's always been my opinion that the Academy is a “band of brothers”.  Andrew is a recent USNA graduate and I don't know if he realizes the level of camaraderie that Academy graduates show each other and believe that entries in his guestbook from other classes show him the overwhelming support he can expect from USNA grads.  Who knows, maybe when times are really difficult for Andrew, he can look back at these entries and get enough strength from them to move forward again.  He's shown remarkable strength & courage already, much more than I think I could in his situation.   

http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/inputSiteName.do?method=search&siteName=andrewkinard

Debra (wife of Jere Carroll '73)