Welcome

The family and friends of Cpl. Daniel C. W. Riley, USMC, welcome you to join in as we celebrate and support the life of an incredible young man, friend, son, and brother. It is with great love and with many prayers we know that Daniel will move on to great and wonderful things. God has big plans for him! Daniel was born in Victoria, BC, Canada. In 1999 his family (Dad, Mum, brothers Tristan and Aaron, & sister Elizabeth, & cat) moved to Denver, Colorado, where his dad began working for the Episcopal Church in Colorado overseeing work with children, youth, and young adults. Daniel started high school in 1999 at Columbine High School. After three years at CHS he finished his high school at Brentwood College in Canada in 2004. After which he did some college and worked in the US and Canada. Daniel enlisted (still a Canadian citizen) in US Marine Corps in 2008 to serve his new country and to help pay for a future college education. On July 4, 2009 Daniel swore in as a US citizen before the Vice-President in Sadam Hussein's old palace in Bagdad, Iraq. In September 2010 he was sent as a combat replacement for the 2/6 Marines in Marjah, Afghanistan. On December 16, 2010, Daniel was severely wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). He primarily suffered severe wounds to his legs, left arm, and left lung. There were many times he was close to not making it. He has since had both legs amputated above the knee and three fingers amputated on his left hand. His lung and other injuries are healing well. Before this event and for many years to come, we know Daniel to be a loving, caring, intellegent, humourous, giving, adventurous, and deep thinking person. Keep praying! And use this blog to share your thoughts and encouragement.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

from the "you-gotta-be-kidding" file

  • Got a call from the 2/6 Marines family readiness officer.  Daniel has left Germany and is heading to the US.
  • Talked to Marine HQ - Daniel has left Germany so we can process your Invitational Travel Orders
  • Marine Liason, Bethesda - travel orders are all in order, Daniel en-route from Germany, we are working on accomodation, etc.
  • Phone call from Daniel - I'm still in Germany!
Nooooo.... , his plane did not leave without him.  Actually, that would make sense.  Perhaps everyone knew the plane left and assumed Daniel was on it.
Nooooo.... , it seems that the plane, with Daniel on it, got out on the runway and had to turn back for weather.
Nooooo.... , nobody thought to tell anyone that it didn't leave.

So, are our Invitational Travel Orders plans valid?  Yes!  We were informed by Marine HQ and Marine Liason, Bethesda, that they will be valid.  They would not reissue them. Why? Because, they admit, the Marine Corps made a mistake.  "Ya think!"  At this point i am really really laughing!  The NCO on the other end laughing as well.  Nice to be able to have some fun and humour in all this.

So, it seems we will be there before him.  He will be out tomorrow - we hope - depending on weather.

At this point, i can only smile, laugh, and shake my head.  And, to be honest, the church doesn't run any better.  ;-)
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9 comments:

  1. barbDecember 21, 2010 at 5:25 PM

    "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28.

    Glad to see you can keep a sense of humor in all this. Hopefully you will be settled and acclamated when he arrives. Don't know how cold it is in CO, but pack a coat! It's cold here in MD. Safe travels to our fair area. Do you know which airport you'll be using?

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  2. ColinDecember 21, 2010 at 5:45 PM

    God's timing will be just right, brother. Godspeed, our prayers are covering you all. My two older kids, The former Screming Eagle, and the former 1/5 Marine, are praying for you all and they understand this "snafoo" all to well.

    Colin

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  3. Pam G.December 21, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    Yea! You gotto talk to Daniel. Keep that sense of humor. I am laughing with you. Rod was out at the VA the other day and was reminded of the motto "hurry up and wait". Blessings for safe travel for all of you.

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  4. Quincy the DogDecember 21, 2010 at 6:27 PM

    Dear Anon,

    Seriously, take a breath. Dan's a goofball and I'm sure he's thrilled to know his family is taking everything in stride and even laughing at it all. Also, learn to spell and proper grammar. Go comment on CNN if you want to be negative and ignorant.

    You go Riley's! Dan and I have laughed a lot at the absurdity of the military and it'll be great that you'll be there to welcome him home. Keep us posted and give him a smooch for us. Lots of love.

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  5. Ruth Hamilton-RootDecember 22, 2010 at 5:55 AM

    Just a word from the cousins in the frozen north that our thoughts and prayers are with Daniel and that we appreciate the Blog.

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  6. C. Neil RileyDecember 22, 2010 at 6:14 AM

    Ruth, thanks. Please email me Ontario family phone numbers and I'll call. Forgot to bring the numbers. wanderingbutnotlost@msn.com
    I'm glad you all found out, been so hectic, I'm not sure who we talked to and who we haven't.
    - Neil

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  7. UnknownDecember 22, 2010 at 8:43 AM

    Riley's our prayers are with you for safe travel, and God's grace.

    Followers of the Blog - this may be out of line but I suspect that Neil and the family could use some financial assistance in this time of need - my daughter Courtney is working with Elizabeth on the logistics - if you find yourself in a position to assist the Rileys financially - for the short term - please make a check payable to Neil and mail it to Bob Stewart 6566 S. Madison Court, Centennial, CO 80121 and we'll make sure the checks get to the Rileys

    God Bless

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  8. AnonymousDecember 22, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    What an incredible family - already dispaying the fruit of the Spirit, to which we now need to add humor!
    Thank you for sharing your journey. My prayers, thoughts, and love have been and continue to with you.
    Blessings and lots of love, Ginny

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  9. Scott CampbellDecember 22, 2010 at 1:21 PM

    Blessed friends - so good that people are aware of the current and future needs of Daniel and his family, both now and in the future. A fund was set up by veterans who had met Daniel at Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in the early hours following his injury and his family receiving the news. The fund is to help the Rileys travel to be with Daniel and to help with future needs he has. If you choose to give, great. Below is the information for such gifts.

    Daniel Riley Fund
    Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
    PO Box 1000
    Vail CO 81658-1000

    Yours, in Christ,
    Scott
    padrescott@gmail.com/719-487-0882

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