WNY Marine Hurt In Iraq Improving

Posted by: Robyn Young, Reporter

There is a long road ahead, but the family of Lance Corporal Mark Beyers is just happy to have him home on U.S. soil.

"If you can imagine being a child and having all of the Christmases that you loved thrown into one, that's it. It's the best thing I ever felt in my life, is to touch that child," said Tricia Beyers, Lance Corporal Beyers' mom.

Beyers was wounded in an explosion while on patrol in Iraq August 26. His family and his Buffalo-based Marine unit, India Company, confirm he lost his right arm and part of his right leg. He was listed in critical condition, in a
drug-induced coma, while hospitalized in Germany.

While Tricia Beyers was not sure what his current condition is, she said her son is out of the coma and has been able to talk to family members with him in Bethesda.

"He's doing as well as anyone can expect him to do. He's kind of in and out of it," Beyers said, adding that her son is still undergoing procedures to remove schrapnel from his wounds.

Six Marines from Beyers' unit were injured in the explosion, though he was injured the most seriously.

Semper Fi