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I just received the kind of news I hope I never get, and yet know that sooner or later it's gonna come:

Our dear friend Ginger Schonberg called me to let me know that Jan Edwards son Aaron, a Marine serving in Afghanistan, was seriously wounded in action earlier today. Jan was in the last round of BTWG. I had a chance to speak with Jan just minutes ago and she filled me in with what information she has thus far. Aaron, has been serving in Afghanistan with Bravo Company, 1st Batallion, 5th Marines. Apparently, he was shot in the chest and suffered a collapsed lung. The bullet is still lodged in his lung and, as of right now, they are leaving it in. In addition to his chest wound he was also shot in the arm. While he made it through surgery, he is still in serious condition. Once he is stable, probably sometime tomorrow, he will be flown to Ramstein, Germany. From there he will be transferred for recovery at either Walter Reed or the hospital at Camp Pendleton.

I am requesting that you keep Jan, Aaron, their family and all our Service Men and Women in your prayers. If you would like to send an email message to Jan, please email them to me and I will forward them to her. In addition, if you want to really make a difference and feel like you are doing something tangable, give to the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). WWP connects with men and women, just like Aaron, to get a few possessions to them while they are still in the hospital. In addition they offer services to help in the healing and transition process that occurs after being wounded in action. WWP also offers support and advocacy services to ensure wounded vets understand what they are entitled to and how to go about getting their life moving forward in a positive direction. While your donations help in many ways, each $99 donation pays for a WWP backpack that is filled with clothes, playing cards, a CD player, toiletries, phone calling cards and more. These simple items mean a lot to someone who may feel like they just lost everything including all their personal belongings which are still back at their unit. If you would like to give to WWP just click on the icon to the right of this page, or you can write a check to "Wounded Warrior Project" and I will mail it in for you.

While I am seriously heart broken for Aaron and Jan, I am also honored to be involved with the WWP knowing that they are there to support our Hero's such as Aaron. I know many of you have already been EXTREMELY supportive of WWP through your generous donations, and I am deeply grateful. For those of you who may have questioned my intent or thought I was off point by supporting such a cause, perhaps now you see why it is so important to me.

I feel blessed to be a part of this BTWG community and know that Jan and her family will feel the comfort and peace of your prayers and thoughts.

On that note:
Project Grad Ian Merten's Father had surgery earlier this week as did Project Grad Cindy Boll's Mother - if you could add them to your prayers it would be appreciated.

Humbly,
Chris