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.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

My Brother

They took both your limbs, but you kept your whole heart
Your still the same daniel, as you were from the start
You kept your strength, your smarts, and your wittiness too
Tried and true, you will always be you
My hero, my brother aand my best friend
I know you have my back, as i yours til the end
You can always call on me, and know ill be there
Thats a hearts promise, and to that i do swear
I may be away but look in your heart thats where ill be
I love you so dearly, and i hope that you do see
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5 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 31, 2010 at 7:29 AM

    Dear Daniel and Tristan, you brought tears to our eyes, what a beautiful and loving poem, one to treasure always. Thank you for sharing it with us.
    Thinking of you Daniel and your family you are never far from our thoughts and always in our prayers.
    God is Good! He will see you through this.
    Love, Ken and Joan
    ps Are you familiar with the song "God of the Mountain" by Linda Ryndle, a favorite of ours.

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  2. C. Neil RileyDecember 31, 2010 at 8:37 AM

    Tristan .... just beautiful and heartfelt - thank you for sharing it with us all.

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  3. Benjer McVeighDecember 31, 2010 at 2:05 PM

    Daniel sure is blessed to have a great family.

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  4. Adrienne Hammond CanadaJanuary 1, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Dear Daniel and family,
    I am a friend of your cousin Lynne Ross in Canada. I have known Lynne for almost 60 years. Please know that there are so many people that you do not even know, and that you may never meet, but who are praying for you, and are so full of respect and gratitude for all you, your fellow soldiers,and our own Canadian men and women give to protect our freedom and democracy. May God Bless you and give you the strength to get through this challenge. With admiration and caring, Adrienne Hammond, B.C. Canada

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  5. MartiJanuary 1, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    thank you for sharing a wonderful and heartfelt poem with all of us!

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