Welcome To Our Companion Weblog

This is your source for news, links and notes from our program celebrating the life and career of the Entertainer of the 20th Century.

Help A Hero

Mark Rogers was visiting family here in Illinois after returning home from his second tour of duty in Iraq. On his way back to his home in San Antonio he was involved in a fiery 9 car pileup caused by heavy rains and almost no visablilty.

As his car caught fire Mark was the only one in the vehicle who was able to get out through the flames. He somehow managed to burst the front windshield and then he pulled his family out one by one. In order to finally get everyone to safety it required going back into the fire numerous times.

Mark's arms and legs were severely burned. Along with his wife, daughter and son, he then had to wait alongside the road in the driving rain as vehicle after vehicle passed the scene without stopping to help. Finally, mercifully, the ambulances arrived.

Mark is in critical, but stable condition at this point, and is likely facing multiple surgeries and a long road to recovery. His wife and daughter are also in the hospital at this time for burns they sustained.

Incredible as it may sound the vehicle they were in was burnt completely down to the ground leaving behind only ashes.

Fortunately, Mark's very young son seems to have escaped serious injury and is staying with relatives.

The family has set up a MySpace page with information, and they are asking for donations to help Mark and his family with medical expenses, living expenses, and other needs. There is a PayPal button on the page for donations.

http://myspace.com/helpahero

Your prayers for Mark and his family would be much appreciated. Also, please consider making a donation through the MySpace page - and please do what you can to spread the word.

Here's the local news report on the crash involving the Rogers family.

Link to News Story