Benefit for family of injured Marine

A benefit is being held Saturday for the family of Staff Sgt John J. Stanz, United States Marine Corps.

The event is being held at the Hamburg VFW Post 2985, at 7 p.m, and tickets are $20. Contact MCEWENGL4@msn.com if you're interested in purchasing tickets.

A Jamestown native, Staff Sgt. John J. Stanz, was injured while serving with the Marine Special Operations Company F with the 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion in Afghanistan.

After graduating from Jamestown High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines in 2001 and has had 3 overseas deployments. His first was to Iraq, where he was awarded a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in an ambush incident in November 2004. His second deployment took him to Africa, and the 3rd to Afghanistan.

John was critically injured Saturday, August 15th, following an ambush attack which involved a land planted IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in Afghanistan. His injuries included severe enclosed head trauma, multiple facial fractures, fractured right hand, fractured left foot, and dislocated right knee. As well as a contusion in his right lung with phenomena in both his lungs.

His parents, John and Sandy Stanz, formerly of Chapman St., Jamestown and currently residing in Hamburg, NY, are at their son's beside.

John is currently in a rehabilitation center in PA and the doctors have advised his recovery will be measured in months and years, rather than days and weeks.

The family hopes that some day soon, John will be released from the rehabilitation facility to live with his parents in Hamburg, NY.

Unfortunately, due to John's condition they will have to make extensive renovations to their house to make it accessible for John.

Whether it is through attending the benefit, making donations or prayer every little bit will help.

>> Caring Bridge site covers John's current condition and the progress he has made.
>> More information on local marine, injured in Afghanistan