Marine Adam Devine to return in July

Benefit, parade planned for Devine

DIXON – What better reason to throw a party?

Wounded Dixon Marine Lance Cpl. Adam Devine, 21, is coming home July 14, and a celebration is planned.

There will be a parade from 11 a.m. to about noon, starting at Dixon High School and ending at the Reagan statue at the Riverfront.

At noon, there will be a benefit bash at the VFW that will feature a bags tournament, food and desserts, a draft beer station, a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, kids’ tents and entertainment by local and Chicago-based bands, said Deb DeLancey, Devine’s aunt.

T-shirts that read “I had a blast in Afghanistan” – which Adam finds very funny and wears himself – also will be sold, DeLancey said. Dog tags, silicon wristbands and commemorative coins will be sold.

Proceeds will go to Devine, who lost both legs to an improvised explosive device Dec. 28, while on duty in Afghanistan. A fund also has been set up at First National Bank.

Devine is being treated as an outpatient at Walter Reed Medical Center, and is living in an apartment in Bethesda. He moved there in early March and is expected to be there for a few months during his rehabilitation, said his mother, Kim Devine.

Click here to watch a Skype video interview with Adam from February

He is expected to be fitted for his right prosthetic leg soon, and because of a staph infection might need to be refitted for his left one, she said.

Adam’s spirits are very good, but he’s eager to start working out again, she said.

“He thinks he’s gaining weight,” she said. “They tell you to keep a constant weight when they fit you for prosthetics.”

Go to the “Adam Devine benefit” page on Facebook to keep up with his progress and for more information.

To help

Silent auction items are needed for the July 14 benefit for Lance Cpl. Adam Devine, and can be dropped off at the Dixon VFW, 1560 Franklin Grove Road.

Donations can be made at any First National Bank branch in Dixon or Amboy.