SENATOR COLLINS GREETS INJURED SOLDIER FROM MAINE AT U.S. CAPITOL

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins was pleased today to meet with Specialist Matthew Pennington, an Army soldier from Troy, who was severely injured in Iraq. Specialist Pennington and his wife, Marjorie, visited Capitol Hill today where they visited and had lunch with Senator Collins in the Senator’s Dining Room.               On April 29th, 2006, Specialist Pennington was traveling in a U.S. military convoy with the 82nd Airborne near Tikrit, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.  Specialist Pennington lost his left leg below the knee and his right leg has severe tissue damage.  He is currently receiving outpatient physical therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.                “I am truly amazed at the strength and courage that Specialist Pennington shows during this incredibly difficult time in his young life,” said Senator Collins.  “It was a pleasure to meet and talk with him and his wife today.  Specialist Pennington has made remarkable progress during this difficult rehabilitation process and is very much looking forward to going home to be with the rest of his family in Maine.  I thank him for his sacrifice and his dedication to serve his country.”               Specialist Pennington is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, with the Charlie Battery 3rd of the 321st Forward Artillery unit.                The Pennington’s are planning to go home to Maine next week.  Staff in Senator Collins’ Bangor office has been working with Specialist Pennington’s family to help find the resources needed to build a ramp on the injured soldier’s rented home.  Members of the Rockland VFW have agreed to lead the effort to purchase the materials and build a portable ramp before the Pennington’s return to Maine.   ###