Blinded and shattered After 34 surgeries, Marine maps out next part of his life

Blinded and shattered After 34 surgeries, Marine maps out next part of his life
Monday, May 02, 2005
By Ted Roelofs
Gazette News Service
Something told Marine Pfc. Dustin Howell he had to be there for the birth of his daughter. War could wait, if only for a day.

The 2003 Wayland High School graduate got to Mecosta County General Hospital in Big Rapids two hours after Amy Jo Howell was born. He held her in his arms the afternoon of Feb. 13, 2004, soaking up the sight of this miracle. Dark wet hair. Gray eyes.

After two hours with his newborn and his fiancee, Farenn Beaudin, he left for his base in California. The next day, he shipped out for the Sunni Triangle in Iraq.