Adriano Espaillat's Constituent stories

Merlin German, a United States Marine Sergeant in Iraq, became a symbol of recovery throughout the world, soon known as the "Miracle Marine," during the 17 months he spent hospitalized following a blast in 2005.  Sergeant German eventually regained the ability to walk, and set up a charity for child burn victims.  Sadly, just over three years after the blast, he died following a minor skin graft surgery.