NEW YORK — John Fernandez should not have been playing lacrosse in the Army-Navy alumni game at Madison Square Garden.

By all rights, the former U.S. Army first lieutenant should be dead. But luck intervened.

"It was just a matter of chance — pure luck," said Fernandez of Shoreham, Long Island, who was severely wounded in Iraq after a U.S. plane dropped a 500-pound bomb on his Humvee in a case of friendly fire on April 3, 2003. Shrapnel from the explosion shredded his legs.

"I crawled," Fernandez recalled. "I couldn't walk."

More than five years later, the soldier can do more than just walk. He can play lacrosse thanks to prosthetic limbs as he demonstrated during the Heroes Cup, which preceded the New York Titans professional game Saturday night.


Read the Rest, at Fox News

Labels: Good News, heroes, US Army, Wounded Heroes

ON A CLEAR NIGHT
U.S. Navy sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln enjoy a clear night from the bow of the ship during a pause in flight operations, April 11, 2008, in the Pacific Ocean. U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class James R. Evans

Labels: photos, US Navy, USS Abraham Lincoln

News of Note
Operation Enduring Freedom
Marines Returning to Afghanistan to Back NATO

Homeland Security / War on Terror / Hamas-Hezbollah Happenings
Mixed Signals Over Mideast Peace (No surprise here - Hamas would accept a cease-fire, but only as a 'tactic' in fighting Israel. Same s**t, different day)
Turkey Confirms Mediating Between Syria, Israel
Letters show latitude on U.S. interrogations: report
Israel limits impact of aid to Palestinians: World Bank
Colombia says FARC rebels fire mortars from Ecuador

Fallen Heroes
Hundreds mourn Ohio soldier captured in Iraq 4 years ago

Other Military News
Atheist's Lawsuit Cites His Treatment in the Army
Plane Strikes Crowd at German Air Show - PHOTOS
Pentagon okays continued work on Lockheed missile: source
Pentagon Sends Three More Aircraft Carriers to Persian Gulf

Worldwide Wackos
IAEA to probe Syria atomic plant report - Video
Nuclear talks with North Korea "productive": U.S.
Conservatives dominate in Iran parliament run-offs
Scratching cat in lap blamed for causing accident

Homegrown Moonbats
Sean Penn leading biodiesel trek across America

Politics / Government
Bang for the Buck
Obama on FNS: No Debates Before Primary
Rev. Jeremiah Wright in His Own Words
Fla. Official to Parents: Buy School Clothes, Not Booze
Obama, Clinton clash over gas tax as Indiana looms
Bush prods Congress on student loan crunch
Democrats' last chance to change White House race
Video: Fight intensifies for Superdelegates
Clinton challenges Obama to Lincoln-Douglas style debate
Electoral map favors a Democrat, has McCain playing defense
Bush tweaks candidates at correspondents' dinner

Illegal Immigration / Border Control
Drug Massacre on Mexican Border

In the Courts / Crime and Punishment / Law and Order
Pregnant Indiana Bank Teller Hurt in Robbery Loses Twins
Parents Search for Clues in Missing Son's Ransom Case
Student Allegedly Tied to Chair, Duct-Taped in Class
Boy, 7, Faces Grand Theft Auto After SUV Joyride
Fiancée of Groom Shot by Cops: 'It's Not Over' - PHOTOS
Sharpton vows to 'close this city' after officer acquittals
Court cuts Robert Blake's wrongful death judgment
Amy Winehouse cautioned for assault - Video
Caretakers get hints on caring for children seized in Texas

Media in the Media / Bloggers in the News / Watching the Web
NY judge dismisses counterclaims vs Clear Channel
Google optimistic regulators won't bar Yahoo: source
Zuckerman submits $580 million Newsday bid: source
London love may be staring at you on the Tube
TV adventurer Bear Grylls struggles to justify risk

Science / Medicine and Health / Technology
Transplant Standards Tough on Medical Pot Users
Start your engines...
Grand Theft Auto 4 may help Sony
Sony off to races with Gran Turismo
Video: Limbering up for Wii Fit
Asian history inspires new games
Texas seeks U.S. ethanol cutbacks; cites corn costs
Transatlantic trade dispute looms over biodiesel
Whole Foods says SEC concludes message board probe
Report clears adviser's role in wireless auction

Mother Nature
Violent Shark Attack Kills Triathlete Swimmer Training in Ocean Off San Diego Beach
Paddleboarders venture out after fatal SoCal shark attack
Scientists Urging Reno to Prepare for Big Quake
Polar bear seen in trouble, not endangered
Brazil "soy king" sees Amazon as food solution
Protection weighed for bird in West's energy areas

News from My Neck of the Woods
Fire in Connecticut apartment complex leaves 150 homeless

Oddities
Man Survives 500-Foot Plunge Into Abandoned Mine
Officials Probe Semi's Plow Into Rail Station That Killed 2
Gary Coleman Brings Marital Woes to 'Divorce Court'
State moves to ban fake testicles on vehicles
Anglers let big cash bonanza get away
Prized police catch escapes again
Golfer hits two holes-in-one in the same round

Other News of Note
Ukraine Marks 22 Years Since Chernobyl - PHOTOS
Belarusian Grads Unwillingly Work in Chernobyl Zone
Israeli Captain of 1947 Refugee Ship Exodus Dies
Letters show latitude on U.S. interrogations: report
Torch faces S.Korea protests, festivities in North

Fox News
55 Killed in Morocco Mattress Factory Fire
With Oil Prices Rising, Experts Debate Over How High
Scottish Gas Stations Running Dry Ahead of Strike
Dozens Injured in Canada After Church Floor Collapse
FOX Business: Finding Balance in Work, Life Important
Experts Debate Whether Rising Oil Costs Caused by Supply, Demand or Market Speculation
Airlines Tout Gourmet Menus, Celebrity Chefs to Entice Travelers

Reuters
Dolphins formally draft offensive tackle Jake Long
Latin America's poorest seek food price respite
No majority for Mugabe party in Zimbabwe recount - Video
Nine killed with machetes in Honduran prison riot
Rock acts upstage Coachella headliner Jack Johnson
McFadden glad draft is over, ready to get on the field
Magic tame Raptors to take 3-1 series lead
Indians hold off Yankees to maintain winning run
Devil Rays edge Red Sox for fifth win in a row
BP shutting down major British oil pipeline
Wachovia part of probe into Latin drug money: report
American Airlines in talks with Continental, US Air
U.S. official: little sign of crime-oil price link
Generali could be interested in RBS units: chairman
Intrepid Potash debut not reflective of U.S. IPO market

AP World News
Smith soars over Celtics as Hawks trim series deficit to 2-1
Kobe scores 22 as Lakers seize 3-0 series lead over Nuggets
Dalai Lama says he's ready for serious talks with China
Tegan and Sara make on-stage banter a trademark
Bobcats fire Vincent after 1 season; Brown may be candidate
Patriarch: Greek Orthodox Church recovering from crisis

News Blaze
MND-B CG, Iraqi Commander Discuss Sadr City
PHOTOS: IA Soldiers Conduct Night Operations Near Sadr City District
Soldiers' Angels and Patriot Guard
Iraq News
Read about Operations in Iraq
FOB Warhorse Memorial Photos
Videos

CENTCOM
PRT, military leaders brief Wasit council on progress
Calm descends on Bayji during medical engagement
Warij residents become Sons of Iraq
White House nominates Petraeus for top CENTCOM job
Afghan veterinarians come to ranchers' aid

USJFCOM
Joint Knowledge Online earns prestigious award for distance learning
Learn more about Joint Knowledge Online
Joint Knowledge Development and Distribution
Follow USJFCOM news on Twitter
Interoperability assessment begins - podcast
Learn more about JSIC
Provincial reconstruction team supports Iraqi farmers
Task Force Ramadi gets fuel flowing
DoD honors USJFCOM efforts to improve command and control linkages - podcast

Multi-National Force - Iraq
Farming Resolutions Receive National, Local Attention
Soldiers Repair Schools in Iraqi City
Internet Connects Iraqi Students with World
Iraqi Police Take Lead for Security of Kirkuk
Criminals kill Iraqi civilian, plant bomb for responders; Coalition forces kill one criminal
Sons of Iraq turn over weapons cache (Arab Jabour)
Insurgents attack checkpoint, kill 2 civilians, wound 4 (Mosul)
SVBIED explodes near COP in Mosul
IED kills two Iraqis, injures five in Ameriyah
Raider Soldiers find cache in Bayaa

DefenseLink
TOP NEWS
Nuclear Project Reaffirms Proliferation Dangers
Mullen: Iranian Meddling Destabilizes Iraq, Region - Photos

MILITARY NEWS
Walter Reed Honors Medical Staff
VA to Contact Combat Veterans
Recruit Waiver Policy Works Well
DoD Announces Environmental Awards

IRAQ NEWS
Coalition, Iraqi Forces Kill 22 Terrorists, Detain 37

AFGHANISTAN NEWS
Coalition Provides Medical Care in Kandahar

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Pentagon Kids Enjoy 'Work Day' Fun - Photos
Attendance Doubles for 'Work Day' - Photos

FACE OF DEFENSE
Soldier Lives New Dream
JCOC Delivers Supplies - Special

Weather
Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Germany
Ansbach Aschaffenburg Berlin Berlin-Tempelhof Berlin/Schonefeld Bremerhaven
Darmstadt Frankfurt Frankfurt/Main Freiburg/Breisgau Garmisch
Garmisch-Partenkirchen Geilenkirchen Gelnhausen Giessen Kitzingen
Hanau Am Main Heidelberg Mainz Mannheim Nurnberg Stuttgart Trier
Wiesbaden Wurzburg

Gitmo

Guam
Agana Agana Heights Agat Andersen AFB Asan Barrigada

Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Japan
Kadena Air Base Okinawa Tokyo Yokohama

Today in History
0757 - Paolo Orsini replaces his brother Pope Stephen II, as Paul I
1220 - German king Frederick II grants bishops sovereign rights
1478 - Pazzi conspirators attack Lorenzo & kill Giuliano de'Medici; Easter is celebrated for the first time
1514 - Copernicus makes his 1st observations of Saturn
1607 - 1st British to establish an American colony land at Cape Henry, VA
1654 - Jews are expelled from Brazil
1655 - Dutch West Indies Company denies Peter Stuyvesant's desire to exclude Jews from New Amsterdam
1721 - Smallpox vaccination 1st administrated
1777 - Sybil Ludington, 16, rides from New York to Connecticut rallying her father's militia
1803 - Meteorites fall in L'Aigle, France
1814 - King Louis XVIII lands on Calais, from England
1828 - Russia declares war on Turkey to support Greece's independence
1853 - Dutch King William III disbands 2nd Chamber
1865 - Battle of Fort Tobacco, VA; Confederate General J. E. Johnston surrenders Army of Tennessee, at Durham, NC
1887 - Huntsville Electric Company is established to sell electricity
1890 - Henry Morton Stanley inaugurated in London
1906 - 1st motion pictures shown in Hawaii
1913 - Sun Yet San calls for revolt against President Yuan Shikai in China
1915 - Italy secretly signes Pact of London with Britain, France & Russia
1920 - H. Shapley & H. D. Curtis hold "great debate" on nature of nebulae
1926 - Karachai Autonomous Region is established in RSFSR (until 1943); Germany & Russia sign neutrality/peace treaty
1928 - Madame Tussaud's waxworks exhibition opens in London
1929 - 1st non-stop England to India flight lands
1933 - Jewish students are barred from school in Germany
1937 - German Luftwaffe destroys Basque town of Guernica in Spain
1938 - Austrian Jews required to register property above 5,000 Reichsmarks
1941 - Potatoes rationed in Holland
1942 - Colliery explosion kills 1,549 at Honkeiko, Manchuria; Luftwaffe bombs Bath
1944 - 1st B-29 attacked by Japanese fighters, one fighter shot down; Papandreou government in Greece forms
1945 - Marshal Henri Philippe Petain, leader of France's Vichy collaborationist regime during WWII, arrested for treason
1948 - The XP-86 prototype for the Sabre Jet first "officially" breaks the sound barrier. The first operational F-86A Sabres entered service in May of the same year
1950 - Last horse race at Havre de Grace Track in Maryland is run
1952 - US minesweeper Hobson rams aircraft carrier Wasp, killing 176
1954 - Far Eastern Affairs conference opens in Geneva
1959 - Cuba invades Panamá
1961 - French paratroopers' revolt suppressed in Algeria
1962 - 1st Lockheed A-12 flies; Ariel 1 Launch (1st UK Satellite); Ranger 4 crash lands on (backside of) Moon
1964 - Tanganyika & Zanzibar unite to form Tanzania (Tanzanian Union Day)
1967 - San Marco 2 Launch (1st Equatorial Launch)
1968 - Students seize administration building at Ohio State
1971 - San Francisco lightship replaced by automatic buoy; Turkey state of siege proclaimed
1974 - Landslide in Huancavelica Province, Peru creates a natural dam; Malta adopts constitution
1976 - Pan Am begins non-stop flights New York-Tokyo
1977 - New York's famed disco Studio 54 opens
1978 - NASA launches space vehicle S-201; France sends troops to Chad
1980 - Iran begins scattering US hostages from the US Embassy; Longest jump by a jet boat is set at 120'
1981 - Largest US bank robbery (Tucson AZ), more than $33 million stolen
1982 - Argentina surrenders to Britain on South Georgia near Falkland Island
1984 - President Ronald Reagan visits China
1986 - Worst nuclear disaster -- the 4th reactor at Chernobyl (USSR) explodes, killing 31
1989 - AT&T announces New Jersey's 201 area code will split into 908 & 201
1990 - 126 die in a (6.9) earthquake in China; New York court of appeals ends 2½ year legal battle over 1988 America's Cup by refusing jurisdiction of the case
1991 - 23 killed in Kansas & Oklahoma by tornadoes
1993 - Boeing 737 crashes at Aurangabad, killing 56; STS-55 (Columbia) launches into orbit
1994 - 1st multi-racial election in South Africa begins [3 days] -- Dr. Nomaza Paintin in New Zealand is 1st Black South African to vote; Taiwan Airbus A-300 crashes at Nagoya Japan, killing 262

Birthdays
0121 - Antonius Marcus Aurelius [Marcus A Verus], Emperor of Rome (161-180)
1319 - Jean II the Good, King of France (1350-64)
1573 - Marie de'Medici, Queen of France
1648 - Pedro II, King of Portugal (1683-1706)
1718 - Esek Hopkins, 1st commander-in-chief (US Navy)
1726 - Pasquale Paoli, Corsican freedom fighter
1785 - John James Audubon, bird watcher/artist
1827 - Charles Edward Hovey, Union Brevet Major General
1839 - Cyrus Hamblin, Union Brevet Major General
1875 - Syngman Rhee, President of South Korea (1948-60)
1879 - Sir Owen Williams Richardson, English physicist (Nobel 1928)
1886 - Ma Rainey [Gertrude Pridgett], "Mother of the Blues", US blues singer
1895 - Rudolf Hess, Hitler's Deputy Führer, only prisoner at Spandau
1900 - Charles Richter, seismologist (Richter scale)
1903 - Geoffrey Worthington, Air vice-marshall
1910 - Johan Doorn, Dutch journalist/resistance fighter (Orange Newspaper)
1921 - Harry Knutton, Major-General/Director-General (London City & Guilds Institute)
1922 - Jeanne Sauvé, 1st female Governor-General (Canada, 1984-90)
1936 - Edward Cazalet, British High Court Judge
1939 - Roger Buckley, British High Court Judge
1942 - Vitali Andreyevich Grishchenko, cosmonaut
1944 - David Martin (Representative-NY)
1948 - Boyd Matson, TV host/correspondent (National Geographic Explorer); Gerry Sikorski (Representative-MN)
1951 - Lynne Jones, MP
1952 - Popo Simon Molefe, Secretary-General (South Africa UDF)

Passings
0757 - Stephen II, Pope (752-57)
1196 - Alfonso II, King of Aragon (1162-96)
1789 - Peter I Panin, Russian General (Pugatshov-uprising), dies at about 67
1865 - John Wilkes Booth, assassin, shot dead near Bowling Green VA at 27
1940 - Carl Bosch, German chemist (BASF, IG Farben, Nobel 1931), dies at 65
1960 - Wander J. de Haas Dutch physicist (Einstein-De Haas effect), dies at 82
1990 - Carlos Pizarro Leongomez, Colombian presidential candidate, assassinated
1997 - Peng Zhen, mayor of Beijing China (1951-66); Yegorov, Russian leader (1994-95)

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Anderson, Warren L., USAF (MI); RF4C shot down (w/Tucker)

Reilly, Edward D., US Army (PA); remains returned August, 1989

Tucker, James H., USAF (OK); RF4C shot down (w/Anderson)

1967
Austin, Charles D., USAF (CT); F4C shot down

Dudash, John F., USAF (NJ); F105F shot down (w/ A. Meyer) - remains returned June, 1983

Estocin, Michael J., USN (PA); A4E shot down

Meyer, Alton B., USAF (TN) F105F shot down (w/Dudash), released by DRV March, 1973 - retired as a Lt. Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

Meyer, William, USAF (MI); F105D shot down - remains returned August, 1985

Riate Alfonso R., USMC (CA); released by PRG March, 1973 - accused of collaboration

1968
The following USAF personnel reported MIA when their C130B was shot down - all listed as KIA / BNR:
McDaniel, John Lewis (NC)

Stow, Lilburn Ray (OK)

Todd, Larry Richard (GA)

1969
East, James Boyd, Jr., USAF (OK); A1J shot down - remains returned / ID'd July, 1997

1970
Elliott, Artice W., US Army (TX); released by PRG March, 1973 - retired as a Colonel - alive and well as of 1998

1972
The following USAF personnel reported MIA when their C130E was shot down:
Amesbury, Harry A., Jr. (IL); pilot

Cooke, Calvin C., Jr., (DC); crew

Dunn, Richard E., (CT); loadmaster - remains recovered

Hoskins, Donald R., (IN); crew

Russell, Richard L. (TX); navigator

Weisman, Kurt F. (IN); crew - remains returned February, 1975

Also reported MIA this day in 1972:
Hirons, Alan, Civilian-UPI; captured (w/Reynolds)

Reynolds, Terry L., Civilian-UPI (KS); captured (w/Hirons)

Labels: Headlines, History