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Tim was wounded in December 2010 in Afghanistan. He had internal organ damage, and it is still questionable almost two years later if they can save his foot. But he is healing well and there have been some exciting changes in his life. We received this lovely letter from Tim’s mom, letting us know it was time for him to come off the list...

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Maggie was on our list a short time. She injured her leg in boot camp so badly that she would never be able to pass the physical requirements of becoming a Marine, and eventually was discharged. She and her family are very grateful for your letters during her hospitalization and rehab. Here is the lovely letter to you from Maggie's Mom...

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We thought you'd like to hear about Brian's celebrity encounter. Brian is a double amputee who also has a TBI (traumatic brain injury) and was wheelchair-bound until just recently when he started working with his prosthetic legs. Even though he is beginning to have more mobility, he is not yet able to use them regularly...

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CBS News correspondent David Martin has been doing ongoing updates regarding our war injured for over ten years. In this segment, Martin discusses his reactions to covering the wounded heroes, and sharing stories about their “good days” and “bad days.” The segment is worth watching.

Click here to read more and get a link to the segment

Stefanie was a new recruit at Parris Island in May 2011. Then June came and an incident that changed her forever. She was in a training exercise, lost her grip and fell over 20 feet, fracturing multiple vertebrae. Miraculously, she was not paralyzed, but the fractures were serious and pain was a huge factor. We were privileged to meet up with Stefanie and her Mother as they came through town after her discharge.

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Remember Sam? He was injured by an IED in Afghanistan in January of 2010. He suffered compound fractures to both legs and lost his right foot in the explosion. However, Sam, a very athletic young man, pushed through all his surgeries and rehab and was out playing softball as quickly as he was able. Although he is no longer on our list, Sam recently let us know he tied the knot with Kristin on August 28th, 2011, amid a very timely lull during Hurricane Irene, and shared with us a link to a beautiful video that will make you feel like you were there.

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Jeff's Mom has provided us with an update on her son that we'd like to share with you. She wrote,

"Jeffrey seems to be doing ok, although he is very anxious to get back home. Lately he has sounded quite good and has taken two weeks of a computer class and seems to love it. He may go into that field in some way when he gets home. The class is one that the instructors go to the guys and offer it every now and then.

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Michael was on our list from September 2007 to May 2009. His mother said that in the first notification phone call she received, the USMC described his injuries by saying her son was "full of shrapnel" and had multiple severe fractures from an IED explosion in Iraq. When he came off of our list after two years, his father said he still faced several more surgeries as his healing would allow. These recoveries are long and arduous, but they are eased with continued support. In response to our recent update request, Michael's father said, "What a nice surprise to know you're still thinking of Michael!!!"

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Corporal Christopher is a member of 3/5 "Dark Horse" and was wounded in Afghanistan by an IED blast. We met Christopher last October after he had just returned to the states and was still in the ICU. He's come a long way since then, but he still has a long way to go. He is a double amputee and has many other injuries. He also had to have major reconstruction surgery done on his right arm.

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Remember LCpl. John 2/3? He was on our list from 2006-2007. He has three Purple Hearts. When he was shot the first time, he considered it only a scratch. Lucky. The second time, the bullet went straight through. Lucky. The third time, the bullet hit him in the head. Not so lucky. Many hours, many prayers, many months and many miracles later, John's brain function improved and has continued to progress.

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In the spring of 2010, Sgt. James was preparing his men for their deployment to Afghanistan. He was happy with the way his Marines were performing and progressing on the gun range.

"I am real content with my Marines right now," he said.

As their trainer, he is responsible for making sure each Marine is proficient with the equipment they will be using downrange, because for many of them it is the first time using new equipment.

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Michael came to Operation PAL™ as a member of "DarkHorse," the 3/5 Marines whose tour of duty in Afghanistan endured significant losses and injuries. "Spider," as Michael is known, was injured last December by an explosive device that left large shrapnel in his back and mangled one of his arms. As his treatment progressed he became faced with a decision: keep trying to rehabilitate the arm, or have it amputated.

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Juan was injured in Afghanistan late last year and although his recovery will be a very long one, he has already come a long way.

His journey began when he encountered an IED that, among other injuries, took both of his legs and his right arm. We learned of him when visiting the hospital last Halloween and at that time he was in the ICU.

We talked to his family who were so very appreciative that they would hear from supporters across the country.

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Cpl. Todd, 1st Recon, was able to return to his hometown for a 30-day recuperative leave recently.

He says his faith has been a major component in his ability to progress, and his sense of humor is one that can only come from being a Marine through and through.

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Sgt. Eddie, 3/2, has been on our list since 2009, but his wounds were sustained in 2005. Being shot twice in the head is an injury that creates its own timetable for recovery.

Eddie is constantly learning and re-learning, and his progress continues at a very slow pace.

Click here to learn more and listen to a voicemail from Eddie himself!

Anthony, Eric, Steven and Brandon were together in 2007 on the same watch in Iraq when the bridge they were on was bombed. All four were on our Operation PAL™ list but Eric, Steven and Brandon progressed enough to come off of our list.

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John is a Marine through and through. For a year he fought a traumatic brain injury he received in combat, only to be redeployed to Aghanistan where he encountered an IED that left him a quadriplegic. Last month you read a news story written about John, but we have more information we'd like to share about him.

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After many trips back and forth between hospitals and the rehab center, all the surgeries and fittings for his "bionic hand", David was released to his family home as of January 2011. He is now going into the MedBoards which means he's being medically discharged from the Marine Corps. This process may take the better part of a year and during this time he will be continuing physical therapy locally to adjust to his new prosthetic left eye and new hand.

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Lance Corporal Kevin's life changed in early 2009 and he has been on Operation PAL™ a little over a year. Mom gave us a few updates and we thought we'd share them with you along with his 2009 and 2010 pictures.

Kevin has been home since December 19, 2009, and he has improved significantly. You'll notice in the "before" picture, which was taken right after his third brain surgery, he is very thin and needs a cane and very thick glasses. Over the past year he has been walking a lot better and he is now talking more. There are still many words he can't remember or say, but he gives it his best effort. His main problem is his memory. He can't remember past two or three minutes, but he is happy being home and he has regained all the weight he lost while in the hospital.

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In January 2010 we featured HM2 Anthony and his family in our newsletter. You can read that story here. This year we'd like to give you an update. The photo of Anthony, Ivonne and AJ was taken in front of their very own Christmas tree, in their very own home, on the first of many holidays they hope to enjoy together with family and friends.

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Congrats to Gunnery Sgt. Marcus on his new baby boy! He was born in April, he weighed in at 10 lbs. 2 oz. and his name is Matthew. Mom and baby did just fine. Is Marcus a proud dad? You be the judge: we asked him for an update and got four photos of the baby and only one blurb on himself. We'll take that as good news!

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Sgt. Joshua suffered fractures to his back and arm and lost a leg after an IED hit his convoy in July 2009. He has been recovering since then, but he was recently well enough to take a well-deserved recuperative leave.

Upon arrival home, he was greeted warmly with a hometown hero’s welcome and a parade.

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Sam, who was originally deployed to Afghanistan, suffered compound fractures to both legs after being injured by an IED in January. His right foot was amputated, and he will be in rehab for most of the year. Sam’s dad says his son is in good spirits despite his loss. He was able to talk to Sam almost immediately after the incident, and it was Sam who did most of the consoling: “Dad, it’s part of the job. I would do it all again.” He wishes he could still be out in the field with his fellow Marines.

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This month we’d like to highlight a very special group regularly sending cards to our wounded warriors – the Center One Unit of Parkhouse Providence Point. The Center One Prayer Support Group is comprised of elderly and chronically ill residents of all ages whose goals are to help others find strength and comfort through faith, make a difference in the life of someone else, and to honor God.

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On Saturday night, May 1st, the 5th and 6th grade Sunday School class from a Baptist Church in Burnsville, North Carolina gathered to work on one of their favorite projects – sending cards and letters to wounded Marines. Kathy, a Marine Mom whose son is in 3/6 Lima Company, coordinated a sleepover for her class; the evening involved fellowship, prayer, fun, pizza and most of all, a lot of creative card and sign-making from a very enthusiastic bunch of kids!

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Click here to watch the Marines TV video today!

Corporal Joshua was wounded in January of 2007. He took a gunshot wound to the neck and was paralyzed from the shoulders down. He can barely see and hardly speak. He constantly suffers from infection of some sort or another and there are scary times when his life is in jeopardy.

He was engaged when we first talked to his family, but the engagement has since broken off. The two of them are still friends and she visits quite often. This is a difficult circumstance for any young couple and they are doing the best they can given the situation.

Click here to read more of Cpl Joshua’s story…

Attention Marine families and supporters! WE NEED YOUR HELP!

The Marine Parents outreach program, Purple Heart Hero Support™, is in the running for a $250,000 Pepsi Refresh Project grant and we need your vote to win the competition!

With the Pepsi Grant, we will be able to turn our 200 meals a year served in 2 hospitals into 20,000 meals served a year in 4 hospitals. There are many great ideas out there, but who could be a more worthy recipient than our Wounded Warriors and their families?

Take one minute a day to vote for our Wounded Warriors!

Click here to watch the You Tube video and learn how to vote!