Welcome home, Hero
Wounded warrior greeted by caring community
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RONAN – Upon arrival to Missoula International Airport Wednesday evening, Marine Lance Cpl. Tomy Parker wasn’t prepared for what he was about to experience once he entered the terminal.
“My mom told me what it would be like, and I joked that nobody would show up,” Parker said.
He was about to find out just how wrong he was.
Hundreds of supporters came out to cheer on Parker as his van was escorted by fire trucks and law-enforcement vehicles on his journey home. Parker then made his way to Polson, where he was greeted with fireworks. Parker stayed at the KwaTaqNuk Resort for a few days.
“I didn’t realize I was going to be escorted the whole way,” Parker said.
The support he has received, whether from donations, a phone call, or seeing the crowds of people come out, has been a tremendous help for Parker. “It’s been a driving force for me, with everyone doing what they can to help, it means a lot,” Parker said.
The 21-year-old Marine came back to the Mission Valley on a week’s leave from his rehabilitation, which is ongoing at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, Calif. So far, Parker has been making a rapid recovery from injuries sustained in December, when an improvised explosive device detonated beneath him in Afghanistan. The blast left Parker with his left leg amputated at the hip, and his right leg amputated above the knee. He also lost all four fingers from his left hand.
“I’m making pretty good progress,” Parker said, “it comes down to how hard I want to push myself.” Parker explained that his regular workout regimen before and during the Marines has helped him during recovery. “I’m setting high goals,” he said. “If I don’t set goals, how do I push myself?”
Parker continues to make incredible progress. Through his injury occurred just 10 weeks ago, he has high hopes of recovering sooner than predicted.
Mother Lisa Jennison has been by her son’s side since arriving back on American soil, doing anything she can to aid his journey to recovery. “Having her there helps me tremendously, we have always been very close,” Parker said, “She helps with watching my meds, making sure I’m not in pain.”
Parker doesn’t want to get too comfortable with daily assistance. He wants to make sure that when his mother leaves he will be able to care for himself, so he insists on learning how to do everyday tasks on his own, without any help. “She has two to six weeks left. They say I should be able to adapt by then,” Parker said, “It’s tremendous having her there, but she’s not babying me at all.”
It is important to Parker to regain his independence. He admits to getting upset when others try to help without first allowing him to do things on his own.
“I still try to be independent,” he said, “I get pretty upset because what will I do when they aren’t there?”
As for right now, Parker is taking things one day at a time, inching ever closer to being able to walk again. Primary Care at the Naval Medical Center told Parker that he can expect a recovery period of 18 months before becoming fully rehabilitated. But, goal-oriented Parker has bigger plans. “I plan to be walking by May,” Parker said.
Once he’s walking again, Parker plans to work toward an even larger goal. “I plan on running a half marathon with prosthetic legs,” he said, “I got hurt, but I’m still going to set goals, and not let my injury get in the way.”
Life in Ronan is much different than San Diego, Parker admits. “Everyone here knows my situation, and they appreciate what I’ve done. In California some people look at me and say what’s wrong with him.”
“Obviously at some point I’m going to be depressed,” Parker admits. “Eventually the excitement will fade and I’ve got to be strong.”
After being injured in Afghanistan, Parker was given the option to continue his service in the Marines if he desired. “At first I didn’t know all the options were out there, it was a breath of fresh air,” Parker said. “I loved the mentality of the people I worked for in my unit.”
Parker currently is deciding between returning to the Marines, or enrolling in college.
As for others who experience injuries sustained in battle, Parker heeds his own advice for recovering. “Keep your head up, there is nothing you can’t do. A lot of things are going to be real hard, but you’ve got to push through it.”
Hundreds of friends and complete strangers attended Saturday’s benefit for Parker. At any given point during the day Ronan’s Community Center was filled to near capacity.
“We are so feeling the love today,” said Parker’s mom.
A long line stretched the length of the building, while people waited patiently to visit with and thank Parker. Two Eagle River, Noxon, and Charlo teams, which were participating in the 14-C basketball tournament next door at the Ronan High School gym also showed up to show their support and fill their plates with spaghetti.
Parker was presented with a comforter that a Polson classroom had decorated, with words of encouragement.
The benefit also had its own silent auction, containing items such as local art, firewood, and airplane rides, to name a few.
Later on that evening, the benefit moved to the Ronan High School gym, where a live auction and musical performance by Rob Quist and Great Northern was held.
Tracy Morigeau Frank, who coordinated the event, stated that they were able to raise more than $72,000 at the event.
“Yesterday was a beautiful event that captured the spirit of the valley, people saw the spirit of Tomy,” she said.
Parker greeted people throughout the day. An estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people attended.
Parker will return to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego on Wednesday, where he will continue his rehabilitation.
“The money will help family go visit Tomy. We plan on building an addition onto our house for him. Tomy has nothing to worry about (financially) for awhile,” said Jennison.
