CSU Stanislaus Social Work grad student Derek McGinnis lost his left leg and suffered serious brain and hand injuries, shrapnel wounds, and burns when a suicide bomber attacked his Naval unit in Iraq. From 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the veteran, author, and student will participate in the “Support Our Troops” information table program at CSU Stanislaus, at the “Thank a Veteran” booth in front of the Vasche Library Building.
McGinnis’s book, “Exit Wounds,” describes the former Navy corpsman’s struggle to live after being seriously wounded during a 2004 suicide car bomb attack in the battle for Falujah. McGinnis was in an ambulance traveling to aid wounded Marines when the attack occurred.
It took two years for McGinnis to recover from his injuries, during which time then President George W. Bush visited the soldier and presented him with a Purple Heart medal. Since recovering, McGinnis has earned his bachelor’s degree and returned to an active life of running and swimming while working to raise awareness of the needs of injured veterans returning from war.