CPL Adam Lanier, far right, is shown with members of the U.S. Marine’s Scout Sniper Platoon. Adam was wounded July 4 in Afghanistan. (Photo contributed) While most celebrated July 4th in traditional fashion eating barbecue and enjoying fireworks, CPL Adam Lanier of Millen was out on detail with the U.S. Marine’s Scout Sniper Platoon in Marhjah, Afghanistan. Only 500 yards from the safety of their camp, the platoon came under enemy fire.

As Adam bent down to pick up his sniper rifle which had been hit in the attack, he was struck in the back of the neck by a bullet whose force flipped him in the air and momentarily knocked him unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, Adam, along with his wounded team leader, returned fire until their fellow team members were able to drag them to safety in a canal ditch.

Adam and his wounded team leader were airlifted out of the area. Adam underwent surgery to remove bullet fragments which remained in his neck and upon recovery, called his parents, Marshall and Elaine Lanier.

“Every parent’s worst fear is getting a phone call telling you that your child has been hurt while in service. How ironic, we received that call on the very day we celebrated our Independence, July 4th. We thought okay, he is still alive and able to talk and make a phone call. Of course, he was still heavily sedated, and we would not know the full extent of his injuries until two days later,” Elaine said.

The bullet that struck Adam perforated his right ear drum and caused limited use of his right side, impaired vision, some hearing loss in his left ear and difficulty turning his head, eating, chewing and drinking.

“He is also showing signs of post traumatic stress disorder and having trouble sleeping for more than a couple of hours at a time. We believe, and so do the doctors, that once he relaxes his muscles, which is putting pressure on everything else, and rest more, some of his problems will subside. It will just take time,” Elaine said.

A decision on whether or not Adam remains in Afghanistan depends entirely on his recovery which has been remarkable as he went from being in ICU to walking around within 48 hours.

“Even if I can’t be in the field with my team right now, then, I can still do something to help,” Adam told military leaders.

Adam was awarded the Purple Heart on July 5 along with several other awards and continues to recover from his injuries. The team leader who was injured in the attack has already been sent back to the United States.

“We hold so many things dear that we take for granted like our right to be free. So the next time someone says, ‘This is my right,’ take a moment to remember those who are fighting to guarantee those rights. One of those happens to be our son, Cpl. Adam Trenton Lanier, United States Marine Corps. We ask that everyone keep Adam in their prayers and on their prayer list,” said Marshall, Elaine and brother, Justin.

Adam serves with the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Battalion 6th Regiment which was deployed June 13 and arrived in Afghanistan July 1. He was previously stationed at Marine Corps Barracks 8th and I in Washington, D.C. for two years as part of the Marine Honor Guard. In October 2009 he was transferred to Camp LeJeune, N.C. as part of the 8-man Scout Sniper Platoon. The platoon trained for a month in California in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan.

Anyone who would like to write to Adam may do so at: LCPL Adam Lanier, 2/6 Wpns. Co./SSP, Unit 73170, FPO AE 09510-6267. Mail for Adam may also be sent to his parents at: Marshall and Elaine Lanier, 5478 Johnson-Gay Road, Millen, GA 30442.