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 20, 2011

Flashback - A night on the town

Sunday, January 30, 2011 - In anticipation that this would be the last night in Washington, DC, Daniel wanted a night out on the town - of course, we did not know at the time that the Monday med-evac flight would be cancelled.  He was given a pass for the day and all the appropriate medicine.  Rather than trying to drive and find parking he decided it was easiest, more adventurous, and more normal to take the DC Metro (subway). Plans included a museum visit, dinner at something other than McDonald's or Dunkin Donuts, and a look around downtown.

The ride on the subway was a good adventure.  While Daniel had to negotiate it all in a powered wheelchair all went pretty smoothly.  The hardest thing was deciding where to park the wheelchair on the subway.  The only room was in front of the doors and we never knew which side of the car the doors were going to open at each stop.  Therefore, he was sometimes just plain in the way.  He kind of yo-yo'd back and forth.  Travelling around town also went well and included a Starbucks stop, of course.

The museum he chose was the "Newseum".  This place has a facinating approach to looking at major historical events.  It looks at an event, such as the fall of the Berlin Wall or Hurricane Katrina, through the journalistic eyes of the media (TV, Newspaper, radio).  For most major historical events it is really how most of us experience what is going on. It also included significant artifacts such as a large piece of the Berlin Wall and a room dedicated to Pulitzer Prize winning photographs. We would highly recommend it. 

For dinner it was off to a spanish tapa restaurant, Jaleo, near the museum.  We enjoyed a good table, attentive staff, and wonderful food.  Daniel even got a table-side visit, conversation, and signed book from the head chef.  As a foodie, Daniel was very impressed.

Then it was time for a roll around town that included seeing some of the significant buildings (i.e. the White House) and doing some shopping for clothes.



All in all a good day!
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