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.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Hearing his voice - pure joy!

We just got off the phone with Daniel. We were able to talk to him, tell him of our love and support of him, and we had the joy of hearing his voice! We passed on the love of all his family, friends, and Marine buddies.

He was able to talk enough so we could clearly hear his alertness and we could even hear him tell the nurse that he was fine and didn't want the oxygen mask put back on. He said he was hanging in there. He sent his love all his family. He asked about his marine buddies. And he even gave us a "meh" - a very true Daniel-ism.

It was a short call, and we had to do most of the talking, but he heard us and he was able to alertly respond. We are so very thankful for ever little thing and hearing his voice was pure joy.

Thank you Lord God.

- a very relieved Father


5 comments:

  1. What a blessing to hear his voice! I can hear his "daniel-isms" all the way in Arkansas!! Matthew has been very concerned about Daniel's progress. I showed him the picture of Daniel and he said, "He looks so cool. I can't wait to talk to a real soldier, a real hero". We are in constant prayer for all of you.

    Love you guys,
    treese

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  2. Praise God for the little things
    A voice, a word, a smile
    A finger and a thumb
    And big things too
    A life, a son.

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  3. Cindy, thank you. That is beautiful. I have read it over and over and keep coming back to it. It is encouraging, sad, touching, and so much more. Thank you and Ludvik for being true friends of ours, and faithful godparents of Daniel!

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  4. Daniel is in our prayers. And for those who cannot see him, he is in our thoughts and our hearts. I keep thinking of little Daniel playing the piano at a wedding when he was less than two years old. He has grown to be such a brave young man. Bless him always, and especially on this journey ahead of him. He is not alone. Love.

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  5. Our loving, caring and fervent prayers are with Daniel and all of the Riley family. With Chris in southern Afghanistan, we can only imagine that horrific phone call and the waiting, waiting, waiting! Our hearts hurt for you but we trust that God will make something good out of this situation. Take care! Leslie and David Barth

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