BY Keldy Ortiz
Photo Credit: John Roca | NY Daily News
For Hemery and Lourdes German, a return to their old neighborhood came Saturday with tears, smiles and a well-deserved honor for their hero son.
The corner of St. Nicholas Ave. and 189th St. was renamed for Marine Sgt. Merlin German, a child of the Washington Heights streets who died in 2008 from injuries suffered in Iraq.
“I’m very emotional because I had no idea that they were doing this for him,” said a surprised and tearful Lourdes German, 56. “For him, the block was home … He loved being here,” she said.
German became known as the “Miracle Man” after surviving a roadside explosion that left burns over 97% of his body – everything but the top of his head and the soles of his feet.