A True Privilege
Sun Aug 19, 2007 9:57 pm
I'm not sure exactly what makes a hero, but I know one when I see one, and I had the pleasure of taking one for a ride in the Skyraider yesterday at the Mexico MO airshow. Lance Corporal McClellan is a special type of soldier and person. It seems unbeliveable that John was shot in the head by a sniper in Iraq less a year ago. He is an amazing young man that has 3 purple hearts and a host of other commendations. A bit about his story can be found at the links below.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Jan ... ews002.asp
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?sec ... chive=true
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2007/Jan ... ews002.asp
http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?sec ... chive=true
Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:06 am
Its a shame that my friends think athletes are heros.. We owe people like him everything...
Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:51 am
Eric -
That's fantastic, thanks for doing that.
How did that ride get arranged?
That's fantastic, thanks for doing that.
How did that ride get arranged?
Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:17 am
Good for you mate, going up in a skyraider would be very special.
Reading about his injury.... amazingly lucky, good testament to the trauma care available to the US forces there
Reading about his injury.... amazingly lucky, good testament to the trauma care available to the US forces there
???
Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:44 am
Outstanding Eric!!!
I've know a bunch of Iraq vets here in Salem from the 2-162
Infantry. To a man are an exceptional bunch and most have PHs (some 2). When some of them heard about our house they came over and helped us out quite a bit.
I've know a bunch of Iraq vets here in Salem from the 2-162
Infantry. To a man are an exceptional bunch and most have PHs (some 2). When some of them heard about our house they came over and helped us out quite a bit.
Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:09 am
OOOOHHHHHH RRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:21 am
Randy Haskin wrote:
I flew at the Columbia MO Salute to Veterans Airshow over the Memorial Day Weekend and they had an outstanding evening banquet where the brought in Veterans from all over the country. I was moved by John's story and just walked over and asked the big Marine (he's about 6'4") if he would like to go for a flight in a big airplane with Marines painted on the side. He was really exited about it and we met the next day and got him all briefed and strapped in and then a big thunderstorm came up and we had to abort, he was really disappointed so I told him I would fly back to Columbia and give him the ride later in the summer. I heard that Mexico Mo was having a small show and it's close to where he lives. I called the Mexico show and asked them if they had room on the ramp and as it turns out the didn't have funds to bring in any warbirds and were thrilled to have the Spad for free. My friend Les Heikkila went with me in his Mustang, also for free, and we had a great time. It was really a nice little show, that is struggling to grow, in it's second year.
Judging by the huge grin on John's face when we were finished with the ride, I think he enjoyed it almost as much as I did.
John is being medically didscharged due to the severity of his injuries. He looks like he has no outward effects from the injuries, other than some wicked scars on the back of his head, but his Mother told me that there are some lingering memory issues that they are still working on with continued therapy.
John told me he hopes to study to be a Physical Therapist, because he hopes to pass on the profound effect that they have had on his recovery, on to someone else.
Eric -
That's fantastic, thanks for doing that.
How did that ride get arranged?
I flew at the Columbia MO Salute to Veterans Airshow over the Memorial Day Weekend and they had an outstanding evening banquet where the brought in Veterans from all over the country. I was moved by John's story and just walked over and asked the big Marine (he's about 6'4") if he would like to go for a flight in a big airplane with Marines painted on the side. He was really exited about it and we met the next day and got him all briefed and strapped in and then a big thunderstorm came up and we had to abort, he was really disappointed so I told him I would fly back to Columbia and give him the ride later in the summer. I heard that Mexico Mo was having a small show and it's close to where he lives. I called the Mexico show and asked them if they had room on the ramp and as it turns out the didn't have funds to bring in any warbirds and were thrilled to have the Spad for free. My friend Les Heikkila went with me in his Mustang, also for free, and we had a great time. It was really a nice little show, that is struggling to grow, in it's second year.
Judging by the huge grin on John's face when we were finished with the ride, I think he enjoyed it almost as much as I did.
John is being medically didscharged due to the severity of his injuries. He looks like he has no outward effects from the injuries, other than some wicked scars on the back of his head, but his Mother told me that there are some lingering memory issues that they are still working on with continued therapy.
John told me he hopes to study to be a Physical Therapist, because he hopes to pass on the profound effect that they have had on his recovery, on to someone else.
Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:41 am
You done good Eric! That is a great story.
Robbie
Robbie
Last edited by Robbie Stuart on Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:05 am
That's a truly awesome thing you did Eric! 
Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:41 pm
Eric -
Thanks for taking the time and effort to make his day; this is a great story!
Mike
Thanks for taking the time and effort to make his day; this is a great story!
Mike
Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:00 pm
Great story Eric and a very classy gesture on your part!
Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:19 pm
Eric,
This old vet ... tips hit hat proudly to you .... absolutely fantastic ...
This old vet ... tips hit hat proudly to you .... absolutely fantastic ...
Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:18 pm
Said it before, well done 
Mon Aug 20, 2007 8:03 pm
Dear Eric,
Stories like this one explain why I'm so addicted to WIX. Well done Eric, and thanks to Mr. McLennen and all others who serve us all with such honour (please excuse the Canadian spelling, but up here we believe in that concept too). Once again, bravo. What a wonderful gesture.
Andrew
Stories like this one explain why I'm so addicted to WIX. Well done Eric, and thanks to Mr. McLennen and all others who serve us all with such honour (please excuse the Canadian spelling, but up here we believe in that concept too). Once again, bravo. What a wonderful gesture.
Andrew
Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:26 pm
Good things happen to good people. Well done Eric and thank you. We need to hear more stories like this.....
Lynn
Lynn