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, February 6, 2011

First time out!



Friday. January 28, 2011 - As we anticipated heading to California the next morning, we took advantage of a evening out sponsored by the hospital and some benevelant organizations. This is a trip out for dinner that happens every Friday night. This was the first one Daniel felt well enough to spend a great of deal of time out of the hospital.
With a group of other wounded warriors and their families we trekked off in a large bus to downtown Washington. It was truly an adventure to be able to get out and see the world outside the hospital and Afghanistan. At the same time, there was a little bit of anxiety.
We were being hosted at the National Pres Club - a club for the "who's who" of journalism, politics, and entertainment. We enjoyed a steak dinner with each other and some of the Physical Therapy crew (these ladies and the others back at the hospital were awesome and very encouraging). The food was good, the company great, and it was just wonderful to get out. The only downer .... finding out that the Saturday med-evac flight had been cancelled. Oh well, hopefully Monday.


(Pictured - Molly, Daniel, and Sarah)

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