Mary Dague
Called to serve after 9/11, Mary signed up for one of the most dangerous jobs in the military. While deployed to Iraq, she was disabling a hidden explosive when it triggered. Instinctively, she hugged the bomb to her body.
Mary in Recovery
She Lost Her Arms, Never Her Fighting Spirit
Like all of us, Mary Dague remembers 9/11 like it was yesterday.
"I was only a junior in high school, but I’ll never forget that day. I heard the reports on the radio as I drove to school. My classmates and I watched as the second tower fell. I wanted to help, but couldn’t at the time. It was a life-changing experience for our whole country."
She Chose One Of The Most Dangerous Jobs
Of the hundreds of ways Mary could have served, she chose one of the most dangerous—as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Tech in the Army. An EOD Tech is trained to uncover and diffuse live explosives.
Soon, she was deployed to Iraq.
She Instinctively Hugged The Bomb Against Her Body
November 4, 2007 started just like any other day, when her team was called to dispose of an IED placed between a school and apartment buildings. Mary and her team leader dismantled the device, and separated most of the components for transport. After laying the IED in the back of the truck, she noticed the device rocking back and forth.
Instinctively, she hugged the IED against her body to shield her team from the blast.
The explosion threw Mary into the Humvee behind her. Both of her arms were instantly amputated. Her ear drums burst. Shrapnel tore across her face.
Within 15 minutes, Mary was in the Medevac helicopter.
"And I Did It With A Smile"
"I battled my way through recovery, surgeries, depression, body dysmorphia, and fought to get off the myriad of drugs I was on for over a year. And I did it with a smile. Because maybe seeing me smile would help the other troops recovering at Brooke Army Medical Center; maybe it would help my family accept what happened to me; maybe it would assuage my team's survivors guilt. I hope it did."
Mary eventually moved back to Washington to be close to her unit. There, she met the love of her life, James, an EOD Tech as well. As she jokes, “a more successful one than I.”
He has remained by Mary's side through all the challenges, including a battle with breast cancer.
Help Us Build A Home Where Mary Can Thrive
The Gary Sinise Foundation is proud to build a specially adapted home for Mary and James. The home will be a sanctuary for them, where she can pursue her artistic passions and share time with loved ones.
You can help us ease Mary's journey and honor her incredible sacrifices. Make a donation today.
