Public speaker delivers message of safety to personnel on Okinawa

01.16.2009

Story by Pfc. Aaron Hostutler 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

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By Aaron Hostutler
III Marine Expeditionary Force

OKINAWA, Japan - Marines on Okinawa often gather in base theaters for various reasons including annual training briefs, flu shots, 'beating the blues' presentations and other events. Though few would contest the importance of such gatherings, the typical slide-show presentations and lectures often do little to hold a Marines attention. But things seemed a bit different this month when a guest speaker from Canada came to Okinawa to deliver his powerful message on safety.

Bernie Inman, along with his family, came to Okinawa Jan. 12 - 16 to express the importance of safety to service members on the island.

"If we only get one person to think more about safety through all these presentations, then it has been worthwhile," Inman said who along with his wife, Sheila, delivered 17 presentations throughout the island.

In 1994, Inman was severely injured while attempting to perform routine duties at a petroleum chemical outpost where he worked in Alberta, Canada.

Inman doesn't recall details of the incident, but shared the findings from reports submitted after the investigation. According to the report, Inman slipped, bumped his head and kicked and ruptured a valve spilling toxic chemicals in the room. He was unconscious as he lay on the floor while the chemicals saturated his clothing and pooled around him. Inman went into a coma with chemical burns to more than 70 percent of his body.

While in a coma, his doctors informed his six-month pregnant wife that he had a slim chance of survival.

Inman attributes the entire chain of events to complacency and a lack of awareness.

"For some reason that day, I decided to take a shortcut," he said. "I didn't wear my protective gear and it almost cost me my life."

Inman barely survived the incident and was left handicapped. He lost use of his legs and the fine motor skills in his hands.

"One of the biggest things I have given up is the ability to pick up and hug my children," Inman said during a presentation on Camp Foster. "When our first child was born, the most I could do was have somebody place her in my arms and watch to make sure I didn't drop her. So the next chance you get, pick up your kids and give them a squeeze. And if you can, give them an extra one for me."

Throughout the presentation, Inman stressed the importance of safety no matter how safe or typical a situation may seem.

"Not everybody works with hazardous chemicals," he said. "But that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be considering safety in whatever they do."

Due to the number of presentations throughout the island, the Inman's message of safety reached Marines of many different occupational fields. One such individual was Lance Cpl. Cody Johnson, a heavy equipment mechanic with Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group.

"One thing I took away from the presentation was that these kinds of accidents can happen to anyone. It could happen to me or anyone of the guys in my shop," Johnson said. "I really need to pay more attention to what's going on around me, especially in my MOS. I'm really glad he came to our base so we could hear him."

After every presentation the Inmans gave, several attendees came up to the stage to share words of thanks and encouragement.

"One of the greatest rewards we receive is the comments afterward from genuinely affected individuals," Sheila said. "It's always good to hear that we really reached some individuals."

Inman began sharing his story between six and seven years ago. Since then, he has traveled much of the world to reach as many people as possible.

"I have spoken to a lot of people," Inman said. "But the Marines are truly a group of people that I am most honored to be associated with."

During one of Inman's final presentations, he sent a message out to the Marines of the crowd.

"Watch out for each other," he said. "You are your brother's and your sister's keeper. I didn't have that when I had my accident. Take advantage of it."

Judging solely by the audience's reaction at Inman's presentations, numerous people received the safety message the Inmans delivered.

"Safety starts with awareness. Awareness starts with you."