And, once again, I ask for prayers for one of our Northern California soldiers who has been fighting in Iraq. This young man is fighting hard to survive. His grandmother, Iris, is a very neat lady...and I know your prayers would mean a lot to her, Shelly and Steven right now.
http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/2005/12/13/news/local_news/news4.txt
Y-S man injured in Iraq
By Daniel Witter/Appeal-Democrat
Sgt. Steven Marfill
Reported to be in critical condition
Those people close to Sgt. Steven Marfill say he's a quiet man who is more comfortable in the woods fishing than he is in the middle of a big city.
Marfill, 26, is a big man who likes to work out, friends say. He thinks the world of his wife, Shelly, who lives in Yuba City, and his grandmother, Iris Heal, of Oregon House, and loves working on his truck when he is home.
“He hates the city life,” said Shelly. “He's more of a country boy. He loves being at home.”
About four years ago, Marfill joined the U.S. Army in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He's served two tours of duty in Iraq spanning 30 months.
But Friday, while Marfill was out on a patrol in Baghdad, a suicide bomber denoted a car bomb that killed one American soldier and wounded 11 other soldiers, including Marfill.
Marfill suffered serious injuries and is in very critical condition, according to Bruce and Christina Mullen, friends of the Marfills.
Marfill suffered damage to his liver, lungs, legs and right abdomen, which took shrapnel from the explosion, Bruce Mullen said. His current tour of duty was scheduled to end next month, said Mullen.
Marfill is currently being treated at a U.S. military hospital in Germany and may be returning to the United States this week, but Mullen expects his friend will be hospitalized at a stateside military hospital for a month.
Shelly Marfill and Heal will fly to Washington, D.C., to greet Marfill when he arrives sometime this week.
“We're going to be leaving just as soon as we get the word,” Heal said. He could be back by Wednesday.
“I'm going to stay with him until he gets better,” said Shelly.
The Army sergeant was based at Fort Irwin in Southern California before he was deployed to Iraq.
Discussing Marfill's personality evokes warm feelings from those who know him.
“He's a really big guy and a caring guy,” Mullen said.
Heal raised Marfill from the time he was seven years old, when his mother passed away. Marfill has always maintained a personable side to him that people readily accept, Heal said.
“He's a gentle person,” Heal said. “Everybody that I know of likes him. He's very likable and outgoing.”
Marfill attended the Yuba College Fire Academy and volunteered with the Fire Department in Oregon House, according to Heal.
“He wanted to do something to make a difference,” his grandmother said.
She remembers one time when Marfill came home from serving overseas and didn't tell Heal beforehand because he wanted to surprise her.
“He walked in with a bouquet of flowers,” she said. “That's just the way he is.”
Shelly and Steven married about a year ago and plan to hold another, larger wedding in June, Shelly Marfill said. The thought helps her through, along with the support of friends.
“He always puts us first,” Shelly said of herself and Heal. “Our happiness is important to him. He thrives off our happiness. I never met anyone like him.”
Appeal-Democrat reporter Daniel Witter can be reached at 749-4712. You may e-mail him at dwitter@appeal-democrat.com.
