Wounded Marine visits family for holidays

A 19-year-old Marine, who lost his feet and ankles in October when an improvised explosive device detonated under his vehicle in Afghanistan, is with his family for the holidays. The Northwestern in Oshkosh, Wisconsin has the story of Marine Lance Cpl. Josh Wege, who is keeping the faith despite an unimaginable, life-altering challenge.

Although he is on the road to recovery, it has been far from easy for Wege. He had a stay at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland and then transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. for rehabilitation.

"Sometimes, I get down on myself, but I guess that’s human nature," Wege said.

His twin brother, Joe, has helped him during rehab.

"I make plans for everything, organize his day and get his meds from the pharmacy," Joe Wege said. "Josh would do the same thing for me."

Josh Wege said his goal is to play softball again.

"My family could pretty much field a softball team," he said.

Major thanks to the non-profit Veterans Airlift Command, which paid for Wege's expenses home. His sister was quoted in another article saying the family was concerned it would be their first Christmas without Josh until the group volunteered to pick up the tab.

The Northwestern story also mentions how special the Marine's visit is to his grandparents, who have only seen him once since he sustained his injuries. On his first trip back, he attended the Green Bay Packers-Baltimore Ravens Monday night football game, and got to meet many of his hometown team's players, as well as head coach Mike McCarthy. I remember being surprised by how the Packers dominated what I thought was a superior Ravens team that night. Maybe they were inspired by Wege's incredible tenacity.

"I plan on staying with the Marines for my five year commitment and I’d go back to Afghanistan if they’d let me," Wege said.

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