Eight years ago, he took shrapnel to the neck in Iraq. Today he’s standing along side Chris Pine in Star Trek
US Marine Corps corporal Adam McCann was on patrol with his fire team in Iraq when his entire team was met by fire launched from the other side of the street. The entire team escaped, but their injuries were severe.
According to Mother Jones , McCann is one of four American war veterans featured in the film as the “Starfleet Ceremonial Guard.”
"Seeing my name in the movie credits was pretty nice," McCann said in an interview with Mother Jones "And the after-party was pretty amazing as well."
Director J.J. Abrams is a supporter of a non-profit program called The Mission Continues , which aims to inspire post-9/11 veterans to transition from the military to leadership positions in their homeland. He immediately expressed interest in partnering with the program.
"The idea of service, the idea of sacrifice—these things felt very much in line with what Star Trek was about," Abrams told The Daily Beast. "So when the sequel was being discussed, [my wife] Katie and I schemed a way to have The Mission Continues form a partnership with the movie in a way that I don't think movies had done before."
McCann was extremely thankful for the opportunity and feels lucky to have been selected.
"It's incredible that someone of J.J.'s stature made this partnership with us and was so generous," he said. "That he helped out with us—it's just amazing."