Wounded Marine invited to State of the Union

[unhappycamper]

Wounded Marine invited to State of the Union
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Jan 29, 2008 5:54:20 EST

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — A year ago, Andrew Kinard was just getting back to speaking and eating solid foods. On Monday, the Marine first lieutenant will be in the Capitol listening to President Bush give his last State of the Union.

“What a difference a year makes,” said his father, Dr. Harry Kinard, a Spartanburg urologist. “A year ago, Andrew was having a tough time. It’s amazing how far he’s come.”

The 25-year-old Marine was injured in a bomb blast in October 2006. Today, he is continuing his occupational and physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

He can walk short distances with the assistance of canes and has a new state-of-the-art knee joint. He can drive and works part time at the Pentagon.

His father describes the job as a “nonpaying internship” at the Office of the General Counsel, but for Andrew Kinard, who is still on active duty, it’s everything.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_stateoftheunionmarine_080127/