August 13, 2008 - 6:58PM
Greg Sowinski
Published Aug. 14, 2008
LIMA - Touched by the story of a local Marine left incapacitated when a virus struck him after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq more than two years ago, a group from the local tank plant gave him $3,707 to help with his care.
Justin Reynolds was surrounded by family, old friends and a bunch of new friends who gathered around his bed inside The Ridge at Shawnee to give his family checks to help with his care.
Money was raised by United Auto Workers union Local 2075, its veterans committee, UAW local retirees UAW Local 2147, and from a collection cup at the gate at Joint Systems Manufacturing Center.
Reynolds, his mother, Anne, and father, Robert Reynolds, all thanked the union members and others who showed support.
"Thank you. This is great," Robert Reynolds said as his wife stood by embracing their son.
The money will be used to pay expenses such as an all-night aide who is needed to sit by Reynolds' side, his family said.
"We don't know how to say thank you enough," Robert Reynolds said.
UAW Local 2075 veterans committee spokeswoman Mary Gause said a bunch of good people came together in a magical way to help a veteran. She said all were happy to do so.
The group also is working to get Reynolds' name on the Veterans Freedom Flag Wall Monument, the largest known stationary flag monument of its type. The wall stands 20 feet tall and 36 feet wide outside the tank plant.
The wall is computerized allowing a person to type in a veteran's name and display that veteran's name and branch of service.
The Reynolds family also received additional good news Wednesday when the Department of Veterans Affairs told them The Ridge at Shawnee has been certified as a veterans nursing facility meaning no more trips to Dayton for certain care, which had the closest facility. Reynolds also will receive a lot more benefits and have more services paid for because of the certification, his father said.
"It makes it so much easier, you just can't imagine," his father said.
The certification also means other vets in the area can use it, just like his son, Robert Reynolds said.
Reynolds, 25, was honorably discharged as a lance corporal after two tours in the Iraq war. He was injured in February 2006 when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb, leaving his legs full of shrapnel. Doctors said they believe he contracted a virus when wounded or shortly after and that virus has attacked his brain, leaving him aware but incapacitated.
Robert Reynolds said his son is unable to talk, is partially paralyzed and cannot walk.
Greg Sowinski
Published Aug. 14, 2008
LIMA - Touched by the story of a local Marine left incapacitated when a virus struck him after being wounded by a roadside bomb in Iraq more than two years ago, a group from the local tank plant gave him $3,707 to help with his care.
Justin Reynolds was surrounded by family, old friends and a bunch of new friends who gathered around his bed inside The Ridge at Shawnee to give his family checks to help with his care.
Money was raised by United Auto Workers union Local 2075, its veterans committee, UAW local retirees UAW Local 2147, and from a collection cup at the gate at Joint Systems Manufacturing Center.
Reynolds, his mother, Anne, and father, Robert Reynolds, all thanked the union members and others who showed support.
"Thank you. This is great," Robert Reynolds said as his wife stood by embracing their son.
The money will be used to pay expenses such as an all-night aide who is needed to sit by Reynolds' side, his family said.
"We don't know how to say thank you enough," Robert Reynolds said.
UAW Local 2075 veterans committee spokeswoman Mary Gause said a bunch of good people came together in a magical way to help a veteran. She said all were happy to do so.
The group also is working to get Reynolds' name on the Veterans Freedom Flag Wall Monument, the largest known stationary flag monument of its type. The wall stands 20 feet tall and 36 feet wide outside the tank plant.
The wall is computerized allowing a person to type in a veteran's name and display that veteran's name and branch of service.
The Reynolds family also received additional good news Wednesday when the Department of Veterans Affairs told them The Ridge at Shawnee has been certified as a veterans nursing facility meaning no more trips to Dayton for certain care, which had the closest facility. Reynolds also will receive a lot more benefits and have more services paid for because of the certification, his father said.
"It makes it so much easier, you just can't imagine," his father said.
The certification also means other vets in the area can use it, just like his son, Robert Reynolds said.
Reynolds, 25, was honorably discharged as a lance corporal after two tours in the Iraq war. He was injured in February 2006 when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb, leaving his legs full of shrapnel. Doctors said they believe he contracted a virus when wounded or shortly after and that virus has attacked his brain, leaving him aware but incapacitated.
Robert Reynolds said his son is unable to talk, is partially paralyzed and cannot walk.
