In Their Own Words: Peter Herrick
A New Home, A New Beginning
CSAH steps in to build new home for injured Navy Seabee Peter Herrick
Petty Officer Third Class, Peter Herrick, U.S. Navy, (Ret.) first enlisted in the military in July of 2001, just before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Soon after his enlistment, he was deployed overseas and injured months later when his unit suffered a mortar attack that left him paralyzed from the neck down.
“We would not be where we are today without the Coalition,” Peter said.
The Unexpected
Before Herrick joined the Navy Reserves, he was an independent specialty carpenter and his wife, Diana, took care of the house and their children Shayla and Drew. Peter had always wanted to join the military and finally, in July of 2001, he did. Just a few months later, the nation suffered terrorist attacks and he was soon deployed overseas.
While on a routine mission in 2004, his unit was under a mortar attack. During this attack 33 soldiers were wounded and five were killed. But Peter was almost the sixth Seabee killed; he was hit by shrapnel and his heart stopped beating several times after the attack.
The attack left Peter paralyzed from the neck down. His left leg sustained debris damage and was eventually later amputated below the knee.
Peter spent over a year in hospitals and rehabilitation.
During these long months Diana Herrick came to Tampa to be by her husband’s side. His in-laws took care of his children in Maryland while he continued to receive care. Upon their return Diana has served as Peter’s primary caregiver. Today Peter still receives at least three days a week in-home treatment.
Adjusting to life at home was difficult for Peter. Daily routines were now chores. Taking a shower, opening cupboards and turning lights on and off were no longer easy tasks.
The Road to Recovery
The Herricks first learned of CSAH from an employee in the recreational center of the hospital in Florida. Diana went to the CSAH’s annual conference, Road to Recovery, in Orlando and met many of the people who work for the organization. Diana “was really impressed by the fantastic people at the Coalition”.
Upon hearing about their struggles, CSAH decided at the conference to donate a significant amount of money towards building a new, handicap accessible home for the Peter and his family.
“The Coalition has done so much for our family,” Herrick said. “Without them we would not have a house where I could function. Other groups have helped us along the way, but the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes made it so we can live day to day. My needs go beyond the normal needs of a wounded soldier and the Coalition helped make that possible. Our family is very grateful for all they’ve done for us and they do for others”.
Through this difficult situation Herrick has remained positive and hopeful, due in large part to not having to be concerned with financial burdens.
“The Coalition helps in many ways, according to your special needs and how your injuries affect you and your family,” Dianna said.
“They allowed us to focus on adjusting our family to the situation instead of focusing on financial issues.”