2005 Year in Review

Update and Thank You from the Bonneurs

Many have asked recently if there had been any news on Andrew Bonneur. Andrew was seriously injured on Wednesday, December 29, 2004 in a single ultra light aircraft accident. Andrew is the son of Brian and Cindy Bonneur of Morrison. Andrew and Christine’s address is: 1st Lt. Andrew Bonneur, 2101 Nordell Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540

In an email from Andrew’s wife Christine she stated:

“As a quick update, Andy has been walking without the use of a cane or walker since mid April. He has been in physical therapy at Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital three times a week. He was able to discontinue wearing the back brace about three weeks ago and begin upper body workouts. This week he began working out at the gym unsupervised.

In the meantime Andy has joined the choir at the chapel, where he has had a few solos and plays guitar. He has also been working on our car a lot. (We have a 1969 Plymouth Satellite).

He is doing amazingly well. Even his therapists are impressed. We just keep praying for continued healing of his spinal cord, for his leg spasms to stop, and that he can regain his strength and fly again for the USMC.”

Greetings, Morrison, from 1st Lt Bonneur

The time for thanks to all those who prayed for me is past due by now but I’ll try to make up for that anyway. During my entire recovery, it has been obvious that God was helping me out considerably and speeding my recovery incredibly. My Doctor at McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia made me aware of that by saying he was so surprised by my recovery. What surprised me was hearing that an ambulance, containing Ryan Venema, saw my accident and was able to stop and pick me up. I need to thank him and the helicopter pilot that flew me to Rockford in bad flying conditions. Rapid treatment is absolutely critical in spinal cord injury cases, so I owe those guys a lot. A great majority of my greatly improved condition right now is because of their actions. My wife, Christine, and I have been back at our home on Marine Corps Air Station New River for a couple of months now. So, obviously, things are going much better for both of us.

Now, as far as my career expectations in the Marines, things are promising. I have almost no doubt at all that the Naval doctors who will examine me (in December, approximately) will find me fit for duty again. Unfortunately, I might not be allowed to fly the UH-IN (Huey) any longer in the Marine Corps. That would really disappoint me, but on the bright side, I still expect to be a Marine. An even better thought is that I’m nearly back to normal now. I cannot run yet and this is a large requirement for the Marines so there is still quite a distance to improve.

In general, I am still progressing, though it is much slower than when I was at the hospital. I definitely have to say thank you for all the thoughts and prayers I am still receiving because they obviously continue to help me. As soon as I am able, I will get back to Morrison and personally thank everyone that I can.

This again is an enormous “thank you” to every one that has helped me through actions, thoughts, or prayers. I don’t think I will ever find a way to repay all that I have been given since 29 December 04 except that I will try to keep our country as safe as I can from a Huey, if allowed.

1st Lt Andrew Bonneur, USMC
HML/A-167
MCAS New River

by  Editor, theCity1.com
June 22, 2005