Ocala Marine shot in the back has community standing behind him

Groups rally to plan dinner for wounded Marine
Ocala Star Banner
By Andy Fillmore
Correspondent
February 5, 2014

Lance Cpl. David Garrett Burgess, wounded in December while serving with the U. S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan, will be honored Saturday with an official “welcome home” fundraising dinner to benefit him and his wife Emily, and their son Joseph.

Burgess remains on active duty and is recuperating at home in Ocala until he returns to Camp Le Jeune.

“I'm not 100 percent, but I'm alright. I'm looking forward to Saturday. It should be a good time and good food,” he said.

Burgess, 19, a native of Ocala and a 2012 graduate of Vanguard High School, was shot in the back during a firefight on Dec. 4 in Helmand Province. He was first evacuated to Germany and then spent almost a month at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. He still is undergoing physical therapy and nursing a broken ankle.

Burgess, a member of the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, Bravo Company, is the recipient of the Purple Heart Award.

“It's amazing what people have done, and the support of the military,” he said.

His mother, Mary Burgess, of Jacksonville, said she wanted to thank the community for the “heartfelt outpouring” of concern and support for her son.

Facts
If you go
What: Benefit dinner for Lance Cpl. David Burgess
When: 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 8
Where: Mojo's Grille, 506 S. Pine Ave., Ocala
Cost: $20, includes dinner and soft drink
Contact: 572-3982 or www.facebook.com/events/207458682776026/
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