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Community Corner

Arnold's VFW Commander Praises Injured Marine's Spirit

Brad Denny, commander of VFW 2693 in Arnold, took a few moments to talk about a fellow veteran.

Brad Denny, commander of VFW 2693 in Arnold, sounds like a proud father when he talks about post members Marine Cpl. Todd Nicely, one of only three quadruple amputees to survive the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his wife, Crystal, a former Marine.

Nicely, 26, was serving in Afghanistan in March of last year when he stepped on an improvised explosive device hidden beneath a bamboo bridge. The blast tore off his hands and lower legs.

Actor Gary Sinise, an Illinois native, is headlining a concert Friday at the St. Charles Family Arena to raise money for a fund to build a specially equipped “smart home” for Nicely and his wife at Lake of the Ozarks.

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Patch: What can you tell us about Cpl. Nicely?

Denny: He’s a very motivated, very spirited young man to take on the challenges that have been given to him.

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He’s made a fantastic recovery. Todd has the true spirit of a Marine. He has a very close family that have been there at his side, and he’s got the support of what’s turned out to be the state of Missouri and the country as well.  All these things are contributing to keeping the young men and women’s spirits up.

Patch: So Cpl. Nicely has a positive mindset?

Denny: He’s very high-spirited. He wears a t-shirt that says “Combat injured Marine, some assembly required.” That should give you some idea of the mindset that Todd and his wife have. They’re really amazing, high-spirited people.”

Patch:  Has the VFW post been involved in the fund raising for the Nicelys?

Denny:  We held the first fundraiser for Todd Nicely last June. Everything else has been a spinoff and we’re very proud to be a part of that. We raised $42,000.

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