A year ago, Marine Staff Sgt. John Stanz was fighting for his life in a military hospital in Germany after a bomb hit his Humvee in Afghanistan.

His family was flown over to see him for what doctors thought would be the last time.

But the doctors didn't know John Stanz.

Today, despite a traumatic head injury, the Marine is living in his parents' home in Boston.

And through the efforts of Vets HERD and other volunteers who built an addition to the ranch house, Stanz will be able to live independently while he completes his rehabilitation.

The apartment means "freedom from them -- even though I love you" he said as he hugged his mother Friday morning for the unveiling of the new construction.

When the stretch Hummer limousine picked up Stanz and his parents earlier in the week for a mini-vacation while finishing touches were put on the addition, Stanz quipped that the last time he was in one, it blew up.

And just to prove his independent, carefree streak, he jumped in the new hot tub that came with the addition, clothes and all, to the delight of nieces and nephews, as well as other family members and volunteers.

Stanz, who owns a house in South Carolina, came to his parents' home in December. Doctors recommended he go to a rehab facility, but John and Sandy Stanz, the parents of nine children, brought him home, providing the care he needed.

"We are so blessed," she said.

"I can't say anything bad about my parents. They're the best parents I could ever imagine, but, being 28, having to move in and live at home, you can imagine ..." he told reporters in his new living room.

Local contractors started working on the addition to the home in June, and completed work this week while the family spent a four-day vacation in Buffalo, courtesy of Western New York businesses, which offered free accommodations and meals.

Back in Boston, nearly two dozen contractors and suppliers contributed time and materials for the addition, which includes a bedroom, bathroom and living area with a separate entrance.

The only shadow that crossed Stanz's face was when Vets HERD President Phil Arnold, in thanking volunteers and contributors, said that while Stanz needs his independence, his medical condition still needs monitoring. It bothers Stanz that he is not yet living on his own.

It was Aug. 15, 2009, when he suffered a catastrophic head injury when an improvised explosive device detonated under his troop transport vehicle. He was thrown 50 feet, and was left with severe enclosed head trauma, multiple facial fractures, a fractured right hand, a fractured left foot, a dislocated right knee, a contusion in his right lung, and ailments in both his lungs. He continues to suffer short-term memory loss.

After coming out of his coma, he had to relearn to use his body -- how to walk and talk, even swallow. His mother, Sandy, said it was as if he was a newborn.

Vets HERD Vice President Jordan Strong organized the family's four-day stay in Buffalo. Vets HERD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to coordinating and fostering veterans services in Western New York.

"John to me is my brother. When family is in need, you help them out," Strong said.

Stanz is part of MARSOC, the top 1 percent of the Marine Corps engaging in special operations, Strong said.

"They do the missions no one knows about. They take the risk that no one knows about, to ensure our freedoms, to keep our country safe. We owe it to them to help them. He's helped and protected us in ways we can't begin to understand," Strong said.

Stanz is devoted to the Marines, and wants to return to active duty. This is his second combat injury. He received his first Purple Heart after being wounded in Iraq.

He's clearly the jokester and favorite uncle to his nieces and nephews, but he sometimes shows his serious side.

"Life is what you make of it, you know? I just try to show these guys, things can always be worse," he said.

bobrien@buffnews.comnull