OLEAN — When Leo Schott became ill and had to check into Olean General Hospital, there was one motivating factor that kept him going.
His one desire was to see his grandson, U.S. Marine Corps Pvt. Matthew Wray, return home from Iraq wearing his dress blues.
Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Schott got his wish.
Pvt. Wray gave his grandfather a hug as soon as he entered the hospital room with his parents, grandmother and sister all present.
"I saw you on television," Mr. Schott whispered to his grandson.
Pvt. Wray had been interviewed by reporter Gary Scurak for MSNBC’s National Geographic Explorer program while he was stationed in Iraq.
Mr. Schott has been in the hospital for more than two weeks and had not seen his grandson in six months.
"My prayers almost ran out," Mr. Schott said. "When I saw him on MSNBC, I just about came out of my chair."
Jamie Wray, Pvt. Wray’s sister, added, "It was hard watching him on TV, but we were glad to see he was OK."
Mr. Schott’s desire to see his grandson again has received a lot of attention. Mr. Schott knew that Pvt. Wray and his family were at the hospital even before they came in his room. "The nurses were saying they saw a Marine in the lobby," Mr. Schott said.
A TV news crew from Buffalo also interviewed the family about the reunion.
"We have just waited for this moment," Mr. Schott’s wife, Ruth, said.
Pvt. Wray was happy to see his grandfather again, but said, "It’s kinda sad to see him here at the hospital."
Pvt. Wray had just arrived from Camp Pendleton, Calif. He slept through most of his plane flight because he said he hadn’t slept in two days.
Pvt. Wray’s unit saw a lot of combat while in Iraq. He was with India Co. of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Division.
"We were right in the middle of it on the front line," Pvt. Wray said. "We took the most contact of any unit."
His unit took and held the airport at Basra, the second largest city in Iraq.
"From there we went straight to Baghdad," Pvt. Wray said. He was in Baghdad when the statue of Saddam Hussein was pulled down.
"I’m glad to be home," Pvt. Wray said. "When you are over there, it doesn’t seem so bad until you look back at it. We were told that the war doesn’t stop until you turn in your rifle. There are a lot of things I won’t take for granted anymore."
Pvt. Wray will be promoted to the rank of lance corporal on Aug. 1. His family lives in Portville.
"We’re certainly very proud of him," Pvt. Wray’s mother, Martha Wray, said while standing with her husband, Rick Wray.
"He’s been through a lot for a kid who just turned 20."