MILTON — Cpl. Daniel Palmer lost more than a portion of his leg in Afghanistan. The friends he considers brothers cut down in their youth fuel the 30-year-old veteran’s desire to observe Memorial Day.
March 20, 2010, Palmer was wounded while patrolling in Marjah, Afghanistan. An improvised explosive device took his right foot and a portion of his lower leg.
He said, “It doesn't feel like six years ago; I don’t know if it will ever feel like so long ago. It’s always on my mind. I had to wake up and put my leg on every morning. It’s on my mind a lot.”
However, he said, Memorial Day “is not even really for veterans that are hurt or injured but for the people that didn't make it back. The sad part about it is most of the people that don't make it back are 19 to 20 years old. They’re just now really getting into the real world.”
He made close friends during his service. To honor their memory, he shared the names of 11 3rd Battalion 6th Marines and when they died:
●LCpl Alejandro Yazzie, Feb. 16, 2010
●PFC Eric Currier, Feb. 17, 2010
●PFC Kyle Coutu Feb. 18, 2010
●LCpl Matt Hanson, Feb. 21, 2010
●LCpl Chris Rangel, May 6, 2010
●LCpl Patrick Xavier, May 18, 2010
●LCpl Gavin Brummond, June 10, 2010
●LCpl Tim Serwinowski, June 21, 2010
●LCpl Gabe Raney, July 9, 2010
●LCpl Tyler Roads, July 10, 2010
“And another one that is very personal for me because we were together all the way through boot camp. I have a memorial tattoo for him on my forearm. His name is LCpl Philip Raul Clark. (He) died on May 18, 2010,” Palmer said.
“Memorial Day is a day to take a minute and remember,” he said. “Say a prayer. Be thankful. I'll go to service on Monday. I may go to the creek after that. I’m not saying it’s wrong to do things but first and foremost (Memorial Day) should be recognized for what it is. Take a second. Bow your head, and say a prayer.”
Since Palmer and his family’s July 27, 2012, return from his recovery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the Santa Rosa County Veterans Memorial Foundation and the Pensacola-based Gulf Coast Veterans in Need group worked to build a new home for him and his family. He accepted the keys May 13.
“We had so many people help out and donate labor,” he said, such as Karen Welch with Sinovus Mortgage in Pace. "Without her, literally none of this would be possible. She pulled some strings and got a construction loan for $135,000. We had to have that for the building process."
Palmer said the experience his fellow veterans have shared show him Santa Rosa County’s character.
“This area is just about the best that I have ever seen,” he said. “I have friends all over the country. They don’t get recognized the way that they should.
“Here, where we live in Santa Rosa County, Milton, Pace — these people go out of their way to make sure veterans know they are appreciated.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton veteran reflects on lost military brothers