CPL Dandrea

Marcus Dandrea

Please keep CPL Dandrea, his father Mark, mother Molly, daughter Naomi and his 7 brothers and sisters in your prayers.

He is currently being treated at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Article from First Coast News, Jacksonville, FL

The family of a 21-year old Westside Marine said he has lost both of his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.

The family of Cpl. Marcus Dandrea said he survived the explosion, but had to have his legs amputated at the knee less than two days ago.
"The first thing I thought when my son was wounded was when he was a little boy and he'd have a boo-boo, and we'd kiss it for him," father Mark Dandrea said today from his Jacksonville home as he held back tears.
Mark Dandrea, a father of eight, is waiting by the phone for updates from his son.
"At about 4:30 a.m., I got a call, and the voice on the other end was none other than my son Marcus," he said.
That was the first time Dandrea heard from his son since learning about the horrific explosion. He said his 21-year old son described the moments after impact.
"He said he was thrown in the air and was wondering what happened. His head was bumping into things," said Dandrea.
Marcus Dandrea is now recovering from a concussion as well as the amputation.
His family hopes he can eventually come back home to the Westside to recover with his family. "He's going to live to see his daughter, Naomi, my granddaugther, grow up," said Dandrea. "And he's thankful for his life."
"Here is my number one son, and he's fighting this war and we just hope we can take care of matters over there and get him home," said Dandrea.
The family said Marcus Dandrea is on his way to an American base in Germany, and from there he will be flown to Bethesda, Md., where he will recover at a military hospital.
Just last month, First Coast News reported similar injuries to 29-year-old Gunnery Sgt. John Hayes of Clay County.
His family said Hayes stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan, which destroyed both of his legs, shattered his pelvis and caused colon damage. Hayes friends tell us he is recovery and going through rehab in Bethesda.
First Coast News