Towson High School graduate Ryan Major has every reason to be bitter.
The 22-year-old lost both legs when an improvised explosive devise blew up Nov. 9 while he was on patrol in Ramadi, Iraq. He?s undergone surgery to try to regain use of his left hand, and another surgery is scheduled for his right. Eventually, he will be fitted with two prosthetic legs.
But despite his hardship, the U.S. Army specialist is still upbeat.
“It meant a lot to me,” Major said after being honored Monday at the Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens? Memorial Day 2007 ceremony. “I?d like to thank everyone for their support.”
The ceremony also paid homage to 26 deceased members of the U.S. military with ties to Maryland, including Navy Petty Officer Second Class Edwin Austin Koth, 30, of Towson; Army Pfc. Matthew Wallace, 22, of Baltimore; Army Staff Sgt. Dwayne Williams, 24, of Baltimore; Navy Petty Officer Second Class David Sean Roddy, 32, of Aberdeen; Army Sgt. David Davis, 32, of Mount Airy; Army Pvt. Eric Kavanagh, 20, of Glen Burnie; Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Moundry, 31, of Baltimore; Marine Lance Cpl. Eric Herzberg, 20, of Severna Park; Marine Cpl. Jennifer Parcell, 20, of Bel Air; Army Chief Warrant Officer John Quinlan, 36, of Phoenix; Army Staff Sgt. Marlon Harper, 34, of Baltimore; Army Staff Sgt. Jay Martin, 29, of Baltimore; and Marine Maj. Douglas Zembiec, 34, of Winchester on the Severn.
Koth?s fiancée Alison Duval said her life hasn?t been the same since the sailor?s July 26 death.
“He was my best friend in the whole world,” she said of her boyfriend of two years. “Other people?s lives are going on, even though my whole world stopped. There are days I can?t believe it. I feel like I have to be strong to go on for him and me.”
Maj. Gen. Bruce Tuxill, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, reminded those in attendance of the sacrifice of veterans in all of America?s wars.
“In every one of those conflicts, it?s been for the right reasons,” he said. “We?re here to remember not only Marylanders but also their comrades who lost their lives not only in service of their state, but their nation.”
Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger said America can credit its “freedom and liberty” to the military.
“If you look at world history, you will see you must have strength to have peace,” he said. “We have the best military in the world.”
