The week before last I got an e-mail from my friend Dan Vargas. I had just started this illustration of a Cadillac that I photographed last December at Disney World when we were there for the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes' Road to Recovery Conference. [link]
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Ladies and Gentlemen,

I regret to report the passing of a hero today. Cpl. Merlin German was 18 years old in February of 2005 when his Humvee hit a roadside bomb on the streets of Baghdad, Iraq. The blast burned over 97% of his body and he was medically evacuated out of Iraq to Brook Army Medical Center. Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Corporal German was not expected to survive his injuries. After hundreds of surgeries and over a year in Extreme Intensive Care, Cpl. German has defied the odds. On 12 April 2008, Merlin pasted away at Brook Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas after one of his many surgeries.

To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." To me theses words sing true when it comes to Merlin.

My God bless Merlin and his family. Please keep them in your prayers today.

Peace & Love,

V/R
Daniel E. Vargas, TSgt, USAF (retired)
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I decided at that point to dedicate this illustration to the Memory of Merlin German who was at the conference and most likely would have seen this car while touring Disney in his wheel chair.

We take so much for granted in life and complain about little things, when there are people who are going through so much more. Merlin German accomplish a lot and he suffered a lot in his short life, most of us can't even imagine what he went through to be come a Marine, they don't call them "The Few, The Proud" for nothing and then all he suffered from his wounds. Below is more about Sgt German.

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Sergeant Merlin German (USMC) was born in Manhattan, New York on Nov. 15, 1985. He enlisted in the Marine Corps 08 September 2003 and received a meritorious promotion to Private First Class out of boot camp. in April 2004, Sergeant German transferred to his first permanent duty station, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division where he served as a Field Artillery Cannoneer.

Shortly after, Sergeant German was assigned to his unit, he was sent to Machinegunner's Course. Among the Corporals and Sergeants, he was the only Private First Class to attend the course. Sergeant German's outstanding leadership skills helped him to graduate second in his class.

In September 2004, Sergeant German's unit was attached to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines and became part of Weapons Platoon for convoy security. His unit was charged with safely transporting prisoners and cargo, and Sgt. German participated in over 150 successful missions. Sergeant German's Platoon Sergeant and Company Commander applauded him for his keen sense of spotting improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

In the first six months of deployment, Sergeant German found 8 IEDs without anyone sustaining injuries. On 21 February 2005, Sergeant German's squad was on a mission to recon an unknown route from Jordan to Baghdad. While enroute to Camp Ramadi, Sergeant German spotted an IED while standing in the turret at his Mk-19 machine gun. With no time to alert the driver, their HUMVEE was hit on a left side by a gas-fed shape charge explosive. Sergeant German was blown clear of the vehicle, and his fellow Marines helped extinguish the flames that had quickly burned 97% of his total body surface area.

Sergeant German was immediately transported to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany where doctors stated Sergeant German had NO chance of living. He had a quick turn-around flight to the burn unit at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio and he arrived on 25 February 2005. He was cared for as an inpatient for 17 months, and then resided as a guest of the Fisher House before purchasing his own home in San Antonio.

He fought bravely for more than three years but died in the hospital on Friday, 12 April 2008, while recovering from his most recent operation.

[link]
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Rest in peace Merlin.

Adobe Illustrator CS2, Apple G5 Power Mac, OSX Tiger.