Friends and family are remembering a Greenburgh Marine who died last week, three years after being seriously wounded in Iraq.

Merlin German's dream was to be a Marine, which he accomplished after graduating from Woodlands High School in Greenburgh five years ago. He served in Iraq and was two weeks away from coming home when his Humvee hit a roadside explosive in Baghdad in 2005.

German was burned over 97 percent of his body. He had only a 3 percent chance of living, but held on for three years until he suddenly passed away last week in Texas. He was 21 years old.Friends from German?s high school are planning a local vigil in his memory next month. Thursday, they shared memories of a man who motivated other soldiers to overcome their injuries, despite his own severe wounds. They remember a strong man who, although barely being able to walk, still danced with his mother at a Marine ball a couple of years ago.

German?s three-year survival earned him the nickname Miracle Man. School officials hope German?s story will serve as an inspiration to Woodlands students.

Funeral services for German will be held next week in Florida. A foundation in his memory has been established to aid child burn victims.