Note from the Newsroom: Happy Birthday, Tomy Parker

What did you do on your 21st birthday?

How about your 22nd?

Ronan Marine, Tomy Parker, spent his 21st birthday in the military, preparing to ship overseas to a war-ridden country where the only certainty is the uncertainty each new day would bring.

Just a few months into his 21st year of life, Parker’s entire existence was flipped upside down. On routine patrol in the Helmund Province of Afghanistan, Parker took a misstep, and lost both legs and four fingers when an improvised explosive device erupted beneath him.

Already a hero among his fellow Marines, so began Parker’s new chapter in life — one filled with more incredible challenges than most 21-year-olds ever dream of.

Soon, this small-town boy was larger than life to those who followed his story back home. Now, he’s been recognized nationally by military leaders, musical legends, professional athletes and well, even the President himself. He’s learning to walk on some of the most advanced “power knee” prosthetics in the world. He’s training for the 26-mile-long Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 26, which he will complete with a specialize hand cycle bike. And he swims and surfs with fellow wounded warriors almost daily from his base in southern California.

“You know, his 21st year of life has been a little different than most,” Tomy’s soon-to-be step-father Tim Corbett said.

Sunday was Tomy Parker’s 22nd birthday. He celebrated alongside family and friends. They celebrated life, love and the pursuit of happiness — all words that now mean more to Parker than ever before.

He has embraced the hero status placed on him by others without ever having been asked whether he wanted it or not. He’s risen to every obstacle life’s thrown his way.

“I hope that everyone takes a moment to think back to the year that you were 21,” wrote his good family friend Tracy Morigeau Frank on Keeping the Faith for Tomy Parker Facebook group wall, Sunday. “What did you do? For many, that was the first year you were able to legally consume alcohol, started being considered an adult, or were in the middle of their college studies.

Now, consider what Tomy has done during his 21st year. It’s really no wonder there are 2,178 people following his progress for over nine months now. Happy birthday, Tomy! The coming year will bring new challenges that you will face with your usual determination, accomplishments that might even surprise you, many new friendships that you will cherish forever, and an appreciation for all that you have. Thank you for continuing your fight that inspires so many others!”

Couldn’t have said it any better myself.