The Story Behind The Photo Wounded Marine returns from Iraq to marry his girl Tyler and Renee Ziegel February 10, 2007
Every so often, one comes across a story so unreal and so amazing, that it leaves a memorable impact on you. This is one of those stories. His name is Tyler Ziegel. He is 24 years old. Her name is Renee Kline. She is 21 years old. They love each other in the most phenomenal and spiritual connection ever - a connection that only a few on this planet can truly relate to. & their story is a unique one.
A few days ago, I was perusing through the links at Digg.com as I usually do, and I came across a few duplicated posts. They were all linked to the same page and image, and carried the title or description that generally followed the pattern of "Wounded Marine returns from Iraq to marry his girl". Here's the link to the photo.
It was one of the most powerful and emotional images I had ever seen. Even though I was born and raised in Australia, I moved to the USA and married into a military family. My brothers-in-law all served, as did my father-in-law. Back home, my father was SAS in the 1960's. I have a deep respect for those who join the military to stand up for our freedom, no matter how the politicians coin the cause or what their true motivations are.
I mean, you have to hand it to our soldiers. They really are the pride of western civilization. It does not matter what your position or opinion on war specifics is, these people step up to the challenge, and do their job. So seeing this amazing image had an incredible impact on me - an emotional one. I couldn't help but follow up on it, and find out more about this amazing couple. So I did some digging of my own. & this is what I found out.
Tyler and Renee first met each other when they were very young. At age 18, he began working as a mechanic at Renee's father's garage. She was 15. The two became very close. It wasn't until much later that the couple officially began dating some time after he came home from boot camp - after he invited her to the Marine Corps Ball.
Tyler was in combat engineering, so it was only a matter of time before he was going to be called up into serving his nation in Iraq. When the war started in 2003, he was there, and after completing this first tour of several months, he returned home.
But his return gave him a specific determination. He had the local florist deliver Renee two roses every hour for 3 hours, followed by six more delivered straight after this. After the floral deliveries, Ty visited Renee, got down on one knee, and proposed. "I owe you one engagement ring," he had said.
Tyler was called up once again after the engagement to return to Iraq. Despite the couple looking forward to their future marriage, he stepped up to his duty and returned. Five months into his second tour, in December 2004, Ty was part of a patrol convoy in the Anbar province, when a suicide bomber struck.
The area, around al-Qaim, was known as an entry point for foreign fighters coming in from the Syrian border. Ty recalls, however, that by this stage, the patrol had an atmosphere that "was not particularly menacing. They weren't shooting guns at us any more". What happened next was the convoy's worst yet unexpected fear becoming reality.
Out of nowhere, a suicide bomber blew himself up by the truck. Tyler is specific on his memories of the event: "I just remember not seeing and felt like getting hit in the face with a baseball bat. The next thing I remember is just sitting down just yelling in pain," he had said. The suicide bombing had created a blast that had literally engulfed Tyler in an inferno - an attack that punctured his brain with shrapnel. He was placed on a helicopter, and his clothes were cut from his burnt body.
The news of the attack, and Ty's injuries, was passed on to his family and to Renee. After stabilizing, Ty was transferred to San Antonio where he would undergo treatment at the Brooke Army Medical Center. Renee and the family were informed that even though Ty had stabilized, he was still very much at risk: his injuries were so bad that he was literally clinging to and fighting for his life.
An Illinois charity, Fisher House, flew Renee and Ty's family to San Antonio to be with him. They not only provided travel for the family - but housing as well, under a program in which people can donate their frequent flyer miles for families such as the Ziegels.
There was no prognosis from the doctors as to whether there would be a positive or negative outcome. The only thing that they kept being told was that if Tyler got through one day, then it was a good day. The biggest fear was that Tyler may suffer from brain damage. He was in a coma, and the family prayed for a miracle.
He went through over 50 surgeries and 19 months of rehabilitation. Tyler had lost sight in his right eye, and had to have some of his right hand, and most of his left arm amputated. His ears had been burned away, and the top part of his skull had been removed and implanted into his torso's fatty tissue to keep it moist and viable. His removed skull was replaced with a plastic one. Despite the surgeries and medical support, the suicide bombing attack had also left him disfigured beyond recognition.
On Valentine's Day 2005, his mother Becky, and Renee were by his side. They taped a pen to the splint on his hand, and he tried writing the words, "Ty and Renee" on a dry erase board - as best he could. "Well," Becky recollected, "We think it said 'Ty and Renee'".
The doctors then removed tracheotomy tube in his neck - and he asked Renee to be his valentine. Apparently, his next words were, "do you want to make out?" Despite the ordeal, his dry wit and sense of humor had remained intact. It was months before they could actually make out anyway, but for Renee, it was that particular moment that confirmed for her that Ty's heart and mind had not changed, and never would.
Through this whole process of medical recovery and rehab, Renee stood by his side the whole time. Tyler had once said, "I don't remember saying it to Renee, but I'd have understood if she'd said, 'Yeah, I'm out of here'". There are numerous stories of wounded soldiers returning from war with injuries, and their significant others leaving - there are even some stories of the soldiers preemptively dumping their partners to save them later hurt. In the case of Ty and Renee, the couple stuck it out, and Renee was determined to stand by her man, no matter what. The bond they shared with each other was nothing but strengthened through the ordeal. & when Tyler was released from the intense hospital treatments, the couple married.
While recovering, an Illinois radio station, 97.3 River Country, had found out about Tyler and Renee's story. The morning crew, Rick Stephenson and Lisa Franks, started a campaign to remodel Ty's house in preparation for his return home from treatment in San Antonio. The effort brought the story to the community's wider attention, and listeners were driven to come by and help out.
On October 7, 2006, Ty and Renee were married in their home town of Metamora in Illinois. Despite experiencing the usual wedding nerves, neither had second thoughts. It was an emotional celebration, and a ceremony that marked the end of a miraculous journey, and the beginning of a new one.
In November 2006, Ty and Renee appeared on the Oprah show, where the couple shared their story to an emotional audience. In January 2007, Ty and his family returned to San Antonio, where he stood next to Hillary Clinton and John McCain, in a Fisher House dedication ceremony to the opening of a new center called The Center for the Intrepid. The new facility is described as a state-of-the-art center for recovering veterans. At the ceremony, Ty said, "What this center will provide for us we will never fully know. Words are not enough to express what we feel. It shows that you care for us, and we will always remember that. Thank you for this gift and for honoring the sacrifices of those that serve in harm's way for America".
During the same month, Ty cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open Fisher Houses 3 and 4 in Texas. Michelle Pfeiffer also attended this opening. Today, Ty still suffers headaches from his injuries. He also hopes that sight in his right eye will be restored one day. He will have to face more operations in years to come. Sometimes, people stare at him. Tyler shrugs it off, saying, "I give people the benefit of the doubt. If you were me, I might look at you".
Ty is currently living on his Marine disability check, and Renee is working part-time in a bar. He hopes to one day build a house on some land near his family. The couple are also thinking about having children. "We want to be young, cool parents," says Renee.
This couple are subject to the most amazing miracle of life and love. Their story, in my eyes, is legendary. Tyler - you are a hero to this nation, and I am one of those proud few who truly appreciate the duty you fulfilled to us all. Your courage and determination are testament to your character. You are an amazing person. Renee - you also are amazing. Your dedication and faith have obviously been a pillar of strength to Ty and his family. People like you both, give me hope for our society.
The area, around al-Qaim, was known as an entry point for foreign fighters coming in from 
