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.

Friday, December 24, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Dear friends and family,

Four hours ago we got a call that Daniel was stable and had actually made it on to a med-evac flight and he would be arriving in three hours. So the short story for now .... we just saw Daniel! It was very brief and he was asleep. But, he is here, he is stable, and we are gathered together.

The BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!!

Thank you, baby (and Lord) Jesus.
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18 comments:

  1. Sarah McAfeeDecember 24, 2010 at 7:34 PM

    A very happy Christmas miracle! He continues to be on the prayer list at St. Thomas, and in our household. So glad to hear that he will not be travelling a whole lot more for a while.

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  2. ColinDecember 24, 2010 at 7:36 PM

    I rejoice that you all are together on the eve of the birth of our Lord. Rest in heavenly peace dear friends. May the love of God and the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Colin

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  3. UnknownDecember 24, 2010 at 7:45 PM

    Praise the Lord!!! Our family is jumping for joy with you!!! You all are constantly in our prayers!!!

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  4. Alex and EmilyDecember 24, 2010 at 7:58 PM

    Praise God! This brought tears to our eyes!

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  5. joyfulclineDecember 24, 2010 at 8:08 PM

    WOW what WONDERFUL NEWS. ssooooooooo happy for you. have a good christmas together. love and hugs to you all!!!!!

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  6. AnonymousDecember 24, 2010 at 8:24 PM

    Thank God! What an incredible Christmas gift. I am so relieved to hear he is stable and close. This month has been an emotional roller coaster and this is the best news. Thanks for sharing and I hope you can rest a little easier having all the family together. Continued prayers.

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  7. CarmenDecember 24, 2010 at 9:25 PM

    Best Christmas present for you guys. So happy you all get to be together at last. I'm sure that it has felt like it has taken far to long. God Bless!

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  8. Robert RileyDecember 24, 2010 at 11:46 PM

    I am excited for your family to be together as this should help Daniel and you all heal and know everything will be ok as a family;)

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  9. AnonymousDecember 25, 2010 at 12:32 AM

    Wow thank you Lord. What a great gift. I can go to bed now! (see last post for the rest - I am a rookie blogger!)
    MERRY CHRISTMAS RILEYS from BC
    Love Tish Wayne Grant Chloe and Myles

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  10. Angela BrownDecember 25, 2010 at 1:08 AM

    Awesome, thanks God for your great gift to the Rileys. xoxo

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  11. Ephraim RAdnerDecember 25, 2010 at 10:51 AM

    The Lord bless you all, and fill you with thanks and strength.

    In Christ,

    Ephraim and Annette

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  12. AnonymousDecember 25, 2010 at 10:53 AM

    Merry Christmas to all the Rileys on this very special Christmas Day. God bless you all.
    Love, Ginny

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  13. Tina in VancouverDecember 25, 2010 at 12:53 PM

    Wow! He's home. What a blessing. Now the healing can really begin! What a relief to family everywhere. Be well Daniel, and all the rest of the family too. We love you.

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  14. AnonymousDecember 25, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    is there an address, we can have to send him care packages.

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  15. C. Neil RileyDecember 25, 2010 at 4:32 PM

    Dear Anon, It is best to wait until Daniel is released from ICU before sending anything. We will let everyone know his mailing address soon after he is assigned a room/ward which mail can be sent to. Thank you.

    - Neil (Dad)

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  16. AnonymousDecember 26, 2010 at 5:11 PM

    my prayers and best wishes are with you, Daniel and the rest of the family. I am so thankful for what God is doing. Love Pat Kokura

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  17. Homestead DitzenbergersDecember 26, 2010 at 10:52 PM

    Neil, Daniel and your family are held up in our intercessions at St. Gabriel. Thank you for these updates. Chris

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  18. UnknownDecember 28, 2010 at 7:26 AM

    Mum and Dad (Lynne and Jeff), Dominic and Jenny and Lauren and Olivia are here with us (Zoe, Ainsley, Jacob and Ethan) and we all send our love and prayers to you all. Thinking of you.

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