Marion Marine recovering from bomb blast injuries

MARION- A 19-year-old Marine and former Marion High School athlete is recovering from serious injuries suffered in Afghanistan.

Ryan McSweeny was seriously wounded Wednesday when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off while he was on patrol.  The initial report about McSweeny's injuries was grim.  But officials at the Marion Independent School District reported much more encouraging news Thursday afternoon.

Administrators said surgery to save and arm and leg was successful so far and McSweeny should be on his way to a hospital in Germany to recover shortly.

McSweeny's football coach, Tony Perkins, said the 2010 Marion graduate participated in football, track and four years of wrestling.  Perkins said the running back and defensive back, wasn't a star athlete.  But he was the kind of player coaches can count on.

“He was not the star, he didn't want to be the star that's why he makes a good Marine.  He was a good team player and loved to be around his teammates,” Perkins said.

Family members did not want to talk at length about the situation.  But friends said one highlight of McSweeny's service came last Christmas during training in Hawaii.  The Marion native met first lady Michelle Obama and even posed for a photo.

McSweeny's closest high school friends said they kept in touch with his adventures via Facebook.  One buddy, Garrett Fortner, even got a satellite call from McSweeny from Afghanistan just a few days ago.

“He was talking to me about how things were going on and how one of his buddies shot a Cobra and big Camel Spiders and stuff.  He was keeping his mind off what was really going on over there,” Fortner said.

Friends also said McSweeny didn't talk about the dangers including roadside bombs.

High school principal Greg Thomas said McSweeny joined the Marines following his junior year in high school  and even left the baseball team early the next summer to go to basic training.  He called McSweeny a good kid with a big heart.

“This kid was the epitome of what we expect our students to be-the Marion way.  He's full of honesty, total integrity and he's a responsible kid, “ Thomas said.

Friends and family mert at the high school Thursday night for an informal prayer vigil.  Supporters also set up a fund to aid the McSweeny family with expenses related to his recovery.  Donations can go to the Ryan McSweeny Benefit Fund c/o Bankers Trust, 400 Blairs Ferry Road, Cedar Rapids 52402.