GILROY
– The parents of an injured soldier spent their first visit to
the nation’s capital sitting by their son’s hospital bed.
GILROY – The parents of an injured soldier spent their first visit to the nation’s capital sitting by their son’s hospital bed. Carol and Mike McCarthy were relieved to see their son Cory and grateful to the Gilroy community for making the trip happen.
“When you see your parents, you know you’re not alone,” Mike said.
Cory, 21, a medic with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was injured in Iraq on Aug. 9 when two rocket-propelled grenades hit his company while on patrol.
When Cory asked his parents to visit him at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., they couldn’t afford the airfare and accommodations. Gilroy community members heard the news and couldn’t sit idly by.
Since the first article was printed in The Dispatch Aug. 15, people have donated nearly $5,000, more than enough for Carol and Mike’s visit.
The McCarthys, along with Cory’s mentor, Kevin Conant, spent four and a half days at the hospital learning about Cory’s condition. They even ventured out of the hospital for some fresh air and new clothes for Cory, who arrived with little more than rags left of his uniform.
“It was phenomenal. We were able to get a lot of questions answered about how he got hurt and how miraculous it was that he didn’t get killed,” Conant said. “I’m really concerned about what (Cory’s) future is, and I was able to help deal with the Army bureaucracy.”
Cory received a wound to his right leg, upper arm, right thumb and the middle of his right hand. He has already endured skin and bone graphs, as well as procedures to rebuild an artery in his hand, reattach his thumb, work on his index finger and remove shrapnel.
On Friday, surgeons opened a flap in his stomach and sewed his hand to the area in an attempt to grow tissue on the hand. When that procedure is complete in about three weeks, Cory is hoping to get convalescent leave. His parents want to visit again and possibly bring him home before he returns for continued treatment.
In an online log of the trip, available at svccgilroy.com/mensgroup, Conant wrote about Cory’s heroism during the attack.
“His sergeant was impressed with Cory’s coolness under fire. He never lost his head, focused on the mission and did great work in emergency medical care,” Conant wrote.
The McCarthy’s trip East was made possible in part by Councilman Bob Dillon and other council members’ efforts to rally support from their constituents.
“I think the response is entirely typical for Gilroy. Mom and dad are hard working and deserve to see their kid,” Dillon said about the Carol, a manager at Longs Drugstore in Gilroy, and Mike, a driver for the United Postal Service.
Councilman Al Pinheiro and wife, Vilma, a travel agent, booked the McCarthy’s flight.
“We feel for the soldiers in Iraq, especially our own,” Pinheiro said. “When it hits home, it hits home hard. The first thing I thought was if it was me and I didn’t have the funds to visit, it would be devastating.”
Dillon wrote about the checks that were donated for Cory in a letter to The Dispatch printed Tuesday. One anonymous donor called Dillon and said, “I didn’t ask you how to make a donation. How much do you need total? I’ll write a check.”
City Administrator Jay Baksa’s staff – Rhonda Pellin, Susan Johnson and Donna Greenhut – collected donations at the city offices.
VFW Post 6309 also collected donations and gave $250. Individuals sent prayers, get well cards and money, even a 2003 Herbie bobblehead doll.
“Words can’t describe the feeling we have,” Mike said. “It’s not something you plan and save for. Nobody plans for a major thing like that.”
Conant originally offered to pay for Mike and Carol to fly to the hospital, but the donations were more than enough.
“Cory is blown away by it, and his parents are humbled by it,” Conant said. “They were just amazed that the community reacted so quickly in getting them up there. It was gratifying to see the community gather around a wounded vet.”
Donations are still appreciated and will fund future visits, miscellaneous expenses and second opinions for Cory’s medical care. Conant is currently administering Cory’s trust fund at Monterey Bay Bank.
“There is definitely a need for continued support. This is going to be a continued issue for Cory. The Veterans Association doesn’t always have means to get you exactly what you need,” Conant said.
Mike and Carol are grateful to everyone for their support.
“It’s not for us; it’s for Cory,” Mike said, “It’s something else when you just hear stats on the radio about people injured. When it’s somebody you actually know it becomes a lot more personal. A lot of people are a lot more conscious and wanting to help when it’s someone they know.”
Though Cory is in pain, he enjoyed the visit. He got a shave from his dad, celebrated his 22nd birthday a few days early and tried on a new pair of tennis shoes. They also read all the get well cards and e-mails which people have sent over the last few weeks.
Cory is optimistic but also realistic about regaining the full use of his right hand. It’s too early to know, Mike said.
“It’s a good hospital,” Mike said. “If anyone can put Humpty Dumpty together again, it’s them.
For more details about the visit with Cory, visit Conant’s Web log at www.svccgilroy/mensgroup. To make donations, visit Monterey Bay Bank, located at 805 First St.
