Interview with Cpl Michael F. Fox, USMC (medically retired)
Wishes For Warriors found Cpl Fox's story and wanted to help him. Cpl Fox is one of millions of veterans, who sacrificed his mind, body, and life for our nation. This is his story..
"I've always been Patriotic and had a deep and passionate love for my Country. As a young man, I saw all of these people fighting for our country and didn't think it was right for me not to do my part as a young American. In spring of 2008, I went to the recruiters office in my town and signed on the dotted line. I was sent to boot camp on April 1st, 2008. I graduated boot camp 3 months later then was sent to School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton.
Upon graduation of SOI (School of Infantry) I was immediately sent to Virginia for more schooling and to become apart of a Fleet Anti Terrorism Security Company (F.A.S.T.) . I deployed with F.A.S.T. to Cuba and then to Japan and Guam for more training as well as to act as a Fast response team for Local threats. After over two years in F.A.S.T.
The Blast That Changed My Life
I received orders to return back to Camp Pendleton, CA to 2ND Battalion 4TH Marines in San Mateo. Three months into our deployment to Afghanistan, during a local patrol I tripped an IED while clearing out a compound. The blast threw me into the air into a somersault. I ended up not being able to move from the shock. Your whole life flashes before your eyes. When you look around, all you can hear is the sound of your heart beat. When my Marines started to render medical aid to me I had asked my Buddy to remove my boots as my feet felt like they were on fire. I remember he looked at me and told me they were already off.
The blast resulted in the amputation of both of my legs and severely injuring my left arm. I did my best at that point to joke and keep them calm so they could patch me up with as little stress as possible. I was put onto a helicopter and flown to a local medical center. I was then sent to Landstuhl, Germany medical center where they performed life saving procedures to stabilize me. A couple days later I was flown to Walter Reed in Bethesda Maryland for many more surgeries and revisions. My Family and Friends were there waiting for me.
Not a day goes by that I regret signing up and choosing to do what I did. If I had known what would happen I would still sign up.
I've met too many people that my life would be a lesser place without. That's not to say that it hasn't been an extremely hellacious and trying life altering event for it me because it has. There are a lot of things that I cannot just up and do like I used to. I have to figure out how to do things or have things specially adapted for me. I won't let it stop me. I am extremely stubborn and if I want to do something then I will. I am surrounded by Family, Friends and last but not least my Girlfriend who are always there to offer me a helping hand."
- Cpl Michael F. Fox, USMC
Wishes For Warriors found Cpl Fox's story and wanted to help him. Cpl Fox is one of millions of veterans, who sacrificed his mind, body, and life for our nation. This is his story..
"I've always been Patriotic and had a deep and passionate love for my Country. As a young man, I saw all of these people fighting for our country and didn't think it was right for me not to do my part as a young American. In spring of 2008, I went to the recruiters office in my town and signed on the dotted line. I was sent to boot camp on April 1st, 2008. I graduated boot camp 3 months later then was sent to School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton.
Upon graduation of SOI (School of Infantry) I was immediately sent to Virginia for more schooling and to become apart of a Fleet Anti Terrorism Security Company (F.A.S.T.) . I deployed with F.A.S.T. to Cuba and then to Japan and Guam for more training as well as to act as a Fast response team for Local threats. After over two years in F.A.S.T.
The Blast That Changed My Life
I received orders to return back to Camp Pendleton, CA to 2ND Battalion 4TH Marines in San Mateo. Three months into our deployment to Afghanistan, during a local patrol I tripped an IED while clearing out a compound. The blast threw me into the air into a somersault. I ended up not being able to move from the shock. Your whole life flashes before your eyes. When you look around, all you can hear is the sound of your heart beat. When my Marines started to render medical aid to me I had asked my Buddy to remove my boots as my feet felt like they were on fire. I remember he looked at me and told me they were already off.
The blast resulted in the amputation of both of my legs and severely injuring my left arm. I did my best at that point to joke and keep them calm so they could patch me up with as little stress as possible. I was put onto a helicopter and flown to a local medical center. I was then sent to Landstuhl, Germany medical center where they performed life saving procedures to stabilize me. A couple days later I was flown to Walter Reed in Bethesda Maryland for many more surgeries and revisions. My Family and Friends were there waiting for me.
Not a day goes by that I regret signing up and choosing to do what I did. If I had known what would happen I would still sign up.
I've met too many people that my life would be a lesser place without. That's not to say that it hasn't been an extremely hellacious and trying life altering event for it me because it has. There are a lot of things that I cannot just up and do like I used to. I have to figure out how to do things or have things specially adapted for me. I won't let it stop me. I am extremely stubborn and if I want to do something then I will. I am surrounded by Family, Friends and last but not least my Girlfriend who are always there to offer me a helping hand."
- Cpl Michael F. Fox, USMC
