Sgt. John Peck gave all for his country and now The Villages will give something back to him.
Peck was 24 when stepped on an improvised explosive device four years ago in Afghanistan. The Marine, who also served in Iraq, lost both arms and legs. That made him the third quadruple amputee of the Afghan and Iraq wars, Peck indicated.
“I didn’t know what happened until I woke up afterwards,” Peck said this week. “Then I found out my legs and parts of my arms were gone.”
Marie Bogdonoff of The Villages has organized a benefit concert for Peck, to be held Aug. 29 at American Legion Post 347, 699 W. Lady Lake Blvd. Singer Roy Michaels will perform his “music of our lives” show. For information call 750-2099.
Peck, who lives in Fredericksburg, Va., has rebuilt his life over the past four years. He has parachuted out of a plane, tried scuba diving and drove his hand cycle 50 miles. He plans to marry in November.
“I went through a vicious cycle of pain, suffering and rehabilitation,” Peck, 28, said. “I’ve had, and still have a lot of bad days. But I came through it and I decided I’ve got to live my life as best I can. I couldn’t make it without the help of so many special people.”
Marie Bogdonoff is one of those people.
Earlier this year, she organized a benefit here for The Independence Fund, which raises money for mobility devices for severely injured veterans. Bogdonoff raised $12,562, in The Villages’ benefit and also heard about Peck.
“John is about the same age as my own son, Michael,” Bogdonoff said. “Every time I see John, I think of my son. I had to do something for John.”
Bogdonoff also shared something else with Peck.
“I had polio as a child,” she said. “I understand what it means when your movements are limited.”
So she e-mailed Peck to tell him or her plans to help him.
“It was kind of weird; she told me she was from The Villages and I thought, ‘What the heck is The Villages?’” Peck said with a laugh. “Then I wondered who the heck is this lady?”
Now, Peck understands what Bogdonoff and The Villages are all about.
“It must be a special place because nobody there knows me but the people want to help me,” Peck said. “Marie has been wonderful and I just can’t thank her enough.”
Peck is currently a candidate for a potential double-arm transplant surgery in early November. The cost will be close to $500,000. Some of the surgical and other costs are being donated but Peck is facing a dire financial burden.
He has to travel to Boston, MA. for the surgery. Then he will face about three years of rehabilitation in Boston. He must have a caretaker with him at all times. Hotel, travel and food costs will be staggering, not to mention the physical toll of surgery and recovery.
“It’s going to be hard but everything is hard,” Peck said. His story has earned national publicity. “I don’t like being in the spotlight and I don’t like being the center of attention,” he added. “But this transplant is something I have to do. I’m hoping for the best.”
So is Bogdonoff.
“I’m so proud of John,” she said. “He’s not asking for anything. John has earned everything we can do for him.”
Roy Michaels usually performs in South Florida but he is coming up to The Villages for the benefit.
“I’m proud to be able to use my talent to help somebody as courageous as John Peck,” Michaels said. “I didn’t know his story until Marie told me. It’s good to give something back to our veterans who have done so much for us.”
Peck actually feels lucky. He suffered a serious brain injury in Iraq back in 2007. He saw fellow soldiers die in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, it causes emotional pain when Peck sees what is happening in Iraq, and the danger the government may fall.
“I wish we didn’t take all our troops out of Iraq,” said Peck, who was awarded two Purple Hearts. “I think what’s happening there is a slap in the face to me and all the other veterans who served there.
“The government over there is corrupt and it’s going to be a never-ending war. We knew that but we still should have kept troops there. I saw some of my brothers die there and it hurts.”
Peck, who one day hopes to operate a restaurant, will marry his fiancée Stacy Elwood in November, just before his surgery.
So much is happening in his life, Peck doesn’t have time or inclination to wallow in the pitiful sadness of the past. He is grateful for the present.
“It could be worse,” Peck said. “I could be dead.”
