Marine Leaves Service -- to Serve Family

Feb. 12, 2007 — -- Jimmy Drish always knew what he wanted to be when he grew up, but his dream of becoming a Marine was cut short when his father became ill.

"I just had this dream that I always wanted to be in the Marine Corps," Drish said. "I always liked everything about the Marines, their appearance, their discipline and just the whole tradition and brotherhood that they have. That's something I wanted to be a part of."

He entered the service and said he was proud to join the 2 percent of Americans who are accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps. "Knowing that you are part of that percent makes you feel accomplished," he said.

But there was a complication. Drish's father, James Drish, is a lifelong diabetic and he had become seriously ill.

"When I came home on leave a few times I would see him and he was not the same," Drish explained.

His father, a veteran Chicago cop, needed a kidney transplant and said it was difficult to accept the news of his deteriorating condition. "I was a little sad, I'm not the type that goes into depression but it was a jolt," James Drish said.

'Just a Wonderful Thing'

James Drish had his daughters tested to become donors, but they did not match. The only match was his son Jimmy, who would have to leave the military if he gave the kidney, so he struggled to ask for the help.

"I'm 63 years old. He is a young man; he's 24. He has his whole life in front of him," James Drish said. "I've had a good life and done a lot … I just hope he stays healthy and takes care of his body."

His son made the decision in a heartbeat -- he would give up his military aspirations to save his father's life.

"Family is what makes you who you are and if you have the opportunity to help them out in their biggest need, and you can do something about it, then that's who you go with," he explained.

They underwent surgery on Jan. 23 and it was a success. "He looked good, he had color in his eyes," Jimmy Drish said after the procedure. "He looked like he had experienced a miracle, it was great. He was sitting up and in a good mood, and at that point I knew it was worth it and I helped him."

"It's just a wonderful thing. I consider him my hero, I really do," James Drish said.

But with only one kidney, Jimmy cannot stay in the Marines. He will be discharged Feb. 28, as some dreams get sacrificed to the realities of life.