Visit arranged

By Dave Steffenson-- Assistant Editor

Chris Riley/Staff Photographer

Carol McCarthy and her husband will get a chance to visit their son Cory McCarthy in a Maryland hospital due to community generosity.

Gilroyan Cory McCarthy, 21, a medic with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was injured in Iraq recently.

GILROY - This community wouldn’t let it happen.

When finding out the parents of an injured Gilroy soldier couldn’t make the trip out to see their son in a Maryland hospital, the City Council, Gilroy VFW Post 6309 and a number of concerned individuals came together with their prayers, well wishes and their money to make sure that they could.

Mike and Carol McCarthy, parents of Cory McCarthy, who was injured in Iraq Aug. 9, will board a plane late Wednesday to make their first-ever trip to Washington, D.C., to see their son. Cory, 21, a medic with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, was injured when two rocket-propelled grenades hit his company while they were out on patrol - in the same place where 173rd Brigade Spc. Justin W. Hebert, 20, of Arlington, Wash., was killed by another ambush a week earlier.

Cory has undergone skin grafts, bone grafts, a rebuilt major artery, re-attached thumb and work on his index finger - all on his right arm. His parents also learned this weekend that he also sustained shrapnel wounds to a leg and burns from the explosion - he had tried to keep the injuries secret from his parents so they wouldn’t worry.

“We learn a little more each day, things that he hides from us,” Mike said.

After hearing about Cory’s story, City Councilman Bob Dillon made phone calls to other Council members to help raise money. Councilman Al Pinheiro, who was on vacation in North Carolina, also made phone calls to help. Pinheiro’s wife, Vilma, who is a travel agent, booked a flight for the McCarthy’s, and a check from the Gilroy VFW Post 6309 along with money raised at the VFW Bingo Friday night helped to pay for the couple’s hotel stay.

Dillon said that rallying support for the family is what the community is all about.

“This is Gilroy,” he said. “We stick together.”

Carol said many well-wishers have come to her work at Longs Drugstore to offer help.

“I’ve been in this town for almost 30 years, back and forth, and this town gives great support to anyone who needs it,” Carol said. “I’d like to thank everyone for this.”

A family friend of the McCarthy’s who once served in the 173rd Brigade also has started fund-raising efforts to start a trust fund for Cory in case he needs any money to pay for medical bills outside of what the military will pay for, such as second opinions. Tom Brozene, who teaches music at a Gilroy junior high school, has talked about doing a benefit concert for Cory. The family also has received messages from people on the 173rd Brigade’s Web site message board, where they keep others - including family members of Cory’s fellow soldiers - up to date with his condition.

“There’s a lot of people coming out of the woodwork,” Mike said. “It’s pretty overwhelming right now. Whether it’s monetary or prayers, there are a lot of people who know Cory or who have heard about this that are showing support.”

The parents have not seen their son since he was given a short leave at Christmas. Mike said that even though Cory still has an IV in at all times, he hopes to get him out of the hospital for a while to help ease his mind and raise his spirits.

“He’s in a better mood now,” Mike said. “He’s not totally alone anymore.”

Donations are still needed to help pay for the McCarthy’s airfare and expenses on their trip to see Cory. Anyone interested in making a donation can contact Councilman Bob Dillon at 842-6702 or e-mail him at rtdillon@garlic.com.