Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a non-profit organization has invited the Patriot Guard to attend the Key Turning Ceremony for USMC Corporal Justin Crabbe, Wounded Warrior, in Yucaipa, CA and we are honored to do so.
On the morning of August 26, 2011, Marine Cpl Justin Crabbe was on his second deployment patrolling along a dam happily thinking that he would be returning to his base by breakfast time when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion resulted in the loss of both legs above the knee and damage to his left hand. Marine Cpl Crabbe says the moment he triggered the IED was right out of a slow-motion movie scene only he was not able to hear sound: others senses kicked in immediately, however, and he could feel and smell the flesh of his legs burning. When his fellow Marines found him face down in a murky puddle, they presumed him to be dead. While members of his squad applied tourniquets and administered aid, Cpl Crabbe’s thoughts turned to the condition of the other men on patrol with him.
Assured that everyone else was fine, but unsure of his own fate, Cpl Crabbe then made a friend promise to call his mom and deliver a message to the family, that he was sorry and that he loved her and the whole family. Medics then administered two shots of morphine to ease his suffering before transporting him to Camp Bastion, and later to Braghan. Cpl Crabbe was eventually airlifted to Landstuhl; his next memory after making his buddy swear to call his mom is of waking up in Bethesda (Md.) Naval Medical Center almost three weeks after the blast. Complications due to lung infections and pneumonia caused by nearly drowning face down in the water at the injury site would necessitate he be placed on a ventilator during that time.
Cpl Crabbe says receiving a specially adapted home will give him independence and “the ability to live a normal productive life without feeling like I am handicapped or disabled.” Currently Cpl Crabbe lives at home with his parents, which he appreciates, however, at 24 years of age, he sees himself getting married and starting a new life in the near future. Adds Cpl Crabbe, “This home would be the start of my new life and my parents would be worry free.” Justin selected the site for the new home and we will accompany him to it now that its completed then we will stand a Flag Line as he enters it for the first time. There will be a short ceremony prior to the ribbon cutting. We anticipate quite a crowd as the locals have stepped up in a big way and we will accompany the procession with Police, Fire, School, and other personnel.
The Patriot Guard will meet, brief, at the initial staging area for the procession. If you wish to participate and meet our Hero, he is expected to meet us at our staging site and we can shake hands and learn how he is doing.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the Hero and his family to the site of his new home. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Time table for Sunday, 16 NOV 14:0900 - Stage at CDF Fire Station - Crafton Hill - 32664 Yucaipa Blvd., Yucaipa CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/ogvHp0915 - Mission briefing
0945 - KSU to initial staging area
R/C Chuck "Machine" JohnsonPatriot Guard Ride Captain
Ret USAF Msgt / US Army SEA 68-70
SERE Master Instructor
760-271-2544
chuckj661@hotmail.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Marine Cpl Justin CrabbePlease post your messages of thanks and congratulations at this link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?396945
