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

Sorry about the time delay

Hey everyone.  Sorry for the time delay in the blog posts.  I hope to use this holiday long weekend to get closer to being caught up.  We have been incredibly busy the past couple weeks and have not had much time to write (or even think).

As you will see .... we are in San Diego, Daniel is an now an outpatient, we are settling in to our rooms in the barracks, we enjoyed some sunny weather and a visit to the beach, and Daniel is generally doing okay.  We have had a couple bad points, but slowly progressing.  Daniel is also hoping to get some convalescence leave in March.  This will enable some much needed rest at home in Colorado!  Stay tuned for details.

Thanks for all your prayers, support, and patience.

- Daniel's NMA (non-medical assistant) and dad
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8 comments:

  1. UnknownFebruary 20, 2011 at 4:32 PM

    Yay for possible trip to CO! Sorry to read about the ordeal :( I can't believe how strong both of you are!!! I hope things have done a 180!

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:53 AM

    NEIL or DANIEL...whichever of you reads this first...I'm going to be in San Diego Tomorrow-Wednesday. If your up for a visitor please call or text me 702 526 6027
    ~Mary Orrison

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  3. barbFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Thanks for the update. have not stopped praying for you both and am grateful for any specific requets. Sorry for the ordeal. At least things can only get better after that!
    In Christ,
    Barb (Fritz's mom)

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  4. Alex and EmilyFebruary 21, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    Your journey to San Diego sounds terrible! I am so sorry it was so bad. I hope things are improving now. A trip home to Colorado sounds wonderful.

    And while I know waiting to leave DC was awful, I'm glad you went to Jaleo. It is one of our favorite places. It's heart warming to know they are also good people.

    Our prayers continue to be with you all! Alex and Emily

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  5. Ephraim RAdnerFebruary 23, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    Glad you made it safely, if wearily. Blessings on your new digs and meeting of new challenges. You're in our prayers always. And great news about a possible trip to Colorado!

    Ephraim and Annette

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  6. ColinFebruary 23, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    I guess you will have to become Padres fans. Glad you guys are settled in. Will Julia be coming out? Prayers are continuing. Colin

    ReplyDelete
  7. KevinFebruary 26, 2011 at 7:51 PM

    Daniel,

    My name is Kevin Parish, and I am a Marine with 1st LAR up at Camp Pendleton. We got home from Helmand Province about a month before you did.

    I'm also a friend of a friend of a friend of yours (Marci Copeland - Brooks Keith - your dad).

    I've been thinking about you and praying for you and your family since I heard about you, and have tried visiting you at the Wounded Warriors Detachment twice (last Sunday and this morning), but they haven't been very willing to let me through.. I suppose because I don't know you personally and I'm not part of your chain of command.

    They actually hinted today that I could be some sort of debt collector! I don't know many debt collectors with regulation haircuts and clean shaves on saturday morning, but I guess I understand the policy.

    Anyway, I don't know if you're even still there, but I wanted to at least let you know my family and I are praying for you and yours, and I'm very proud of you and all of the other Wounded Warriors who have given so much in service to this country.

    And also - and I mean this - I'm only a quick drive away, so let me know if there's anything I can do, or if you'd like someone to hang out with sometime.

    My email address is kevparish@gmail.com. Semper Fidelis.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownFebruary 28, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    My psych teacher just posted this article about a professor in San Diego and his research on phantom limb pain. Not sure if it's still an issue, but I thought I'd pass it along!

    http://www.npr.org/2011/02/14/133026897/v-s-ramachandrans-tales-of-the-tell-tale-brain

    ReplyDelete

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