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The Tri-States loses a war soldier
Posted: 08.02.2010 at 4:36 PM
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Oprah visits with Paul M. McAlister II and others.  / Courtesy Oprah.com
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An Iraqi War soldier from Hannibal who was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" has died.

Paul M. McAlister II, 37, passed away at 8:50 a.m. Monday at his home.

He was one of several veterans featured on "Oprah" on Feb. 26, 2009.

McAlister, a sergeant, was recovering at the time at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., after losing both legs in combat on March 31, 2008.

McAlister told Oprah he didn't immediately realize he was hurt.

"I was like, "Why can't I stop this truck?'" McAlister said on the program. "So, I put it in neutral and I put it in park, and I felt my leg and it felt like hamburger.

So, I flicked on the light and I looked down and there it was -- just all raw, basically."

McAlister compared the pain that soon hit him to being "like a thousand bees all at once just stinging right on the end of the legs."

McAlister had been at Walter Reed for 10 months and was preparing to leave.

He was to be accompanied by an assist dog, George.

On the program, Winfrey thanked soldiers and their families for their service and sacrifices.

"We lift you up, and we hold you in our prayers," she said.

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