The Anniston Star
VETERANS DAY Editor: Ben Cunningham, bcunningham@annistonstar.com, 256-235-3541 • Sunday, November 11, 2012 • Page 1G
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MEET THE CO-GRAND MARSHALS OF THIS YEAR’S VETERANS DAY PARADE
Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star
Ben Tomlinson was paralyzed from the bottom of his chest down after being struck by a bullet during his deployment in Afghanistan. Since returning to his home in Jacksonville, he has made enormous progress. Tomlinson joins World War II veteran Frank Turner as co-grand marshal of this year’s Veterans Day parade.
AFGHANISTAN
WORLD WAR II
Tomlinson adjusts to life after injury
Turner reflects on time in the Pacific
BY PAIGE RENTZ
BY CAMERON STEELE
prentz@annistonstar.com
csteele@annistonstar.com
JACKSONVILLE — Ben Tomlinson has always pushed himself to be better, stronger, faster. His approach to life hasn’t changed since he returned from Afghanistan last year, a second Purple Heart in hand. Tomlinson, who was paralyzed from the bottom of his chest down after taking a bullet to the neck on an Afghan rooftop, has made enormous strides since he’s been stateside, first for eight months in a Tampa veterans’ hospital, and now at home in Jacksonville. “I’m always trying to do something to make progress,” the 24-year-old Marine said last week. “I guess that’s just from the attitude I’ve always had.” Tomlinson was welcomed home in January by crowds of locals lining the highway from Oxford all the way to the Jacksonville Public Square in a grand display of gratitude and support. Since then, he has settled back into his parents’ home and a routine of activities to improve his condition. He’s looking into going back to school in spring or summer, possibly to pursue a career in finance. A self-described gym rat, Tomlinson worked hard to be in peak physical condition as an athlete long before he was forced to in the military. He played multiple sports at Jacksonville High School and had a brief stint as a
IRON CITY — Frank Turner never saw combat during his World War II service, but the 94-year-old willingly did his part when he was drafted and shipped abroad all those years ago. Using the mechanical skills he’d cultivated at the Anniston Army Depot, Turner helped to maintain runways for the American planes that flew in and out of the Tinian Island airfields from 1944 to 1946. Please see TURNER ❙ Page 2G
Stephen Gross/The Anniston Star
Tomlinson recently hit a milestone in his recovery when he benchpressed 100 pounds — less than a third of what he once could. football player at Mississippi College before deciding it wasn’t the path for him. The back portion of the Tomlinson home, converted into a kind of apartment for Ben, functions as a manifestation of these two aspects of his life. Upon entering the back room from the ramp outside, visitors are inundated with sports: ESPN plays on a flat screen television hanging in front of the door. Alabama football memorabilia — posters, quilts, signed jerseys — surrounds the TV and overruns an adjoining wall. Across the room hang Tomlinson’s pair of Purple Heart commendations.
Along the hall leading to his bedroom hangs a hand-made sign from Kitty Stone Elementary School students welcoming their hometown hero back from war. Tomlinson initially chose the Marines because he felt they had a reputation of being the toughest of the military branches. “I wanted to be the baddest dude, get that sort of respect from people,” he said. He joined the elite Amphibious Reconnaissance Marines because he wanted tough missions and service that was “something I’d feel good Please see TOMLINSON ❙ Page 3G
Trent Penny/The Anniston Star
Frank Turner worked out of the Tinian Island airfields during his service in World War II.
I N S I D E V E T E R A N S D AY
Veterans Day calendar Ceremony, parade, memorabilia exhibit SEE PAGE 2G INSIDE LIFE & ARTS
Salute to Veterans Readers share memories of their days in uniform SEE PAGE 8E