Last modified: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 2:29 AM EDT Army soldier James Hackemer of New York is undergoing rehabilitation at the Spaulding Rehab Hospital in Boston. Hackemer, whose wife, Alycia, shown with him, is also in the Army and is from Attleboro, lost his legs in a roadside bombing in Iraq March 14. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell) For soldier with city ties, a 'miracle' BY RICK FOSTER SUN CHRONICLE STAFF ATTLEBORO Little more than a month ago, doctors held out scant hope that Army Sgt. James Hackemer would ever emerge from a coma after having been critically wounded in Iraq. His prognosis was so poor that the family was asked to start thinking about removing the 26-year-old military policeman's life support. But that was before Hackemer, the husband of Army Sgt. Alycia Hackemer of Attleboro, began responding to family members and music played by a visiting soldier. Before long, Hackemer regained his power of speech, recognized his wife and children and even began playing "air guitar" to his favorite rock and roll tunes. "Are you asking if it's a miracle?" said Alycia, mother of two and a member of the same unit as her husband, "I'd say yes." Hackemer has even been allowed to leave the hospital briefly and visit with his parents and wife and two babies despite losing both legs and massive amounts of blood last March to a roadside bomb in Baghdad. Two other soldiers who were seriously wounded along with Hackemer also survived. Family members say he'll eventually be fitted with prosthetic limbs. Despite suffering the loss of his legs and a serious brain injury, Hackemer says he has a lot to live for. The New York native is thrilled to be surrounded by family members almost continuously as he recovers at Boston's Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. His hospital room is adorned with photos of his 16-month old daughter, Kaelynn, and 2-month-old infant, Addison. "It's wonderful," he said. He's come a long way. Last March, he nearly lost his life when the military vehicle in which he was riding exploded. "I don't remember going down the road, but I remember the blast," he said. "At first I wasn't sure what had happened. The next thing I know, I was being lifted out of the vehicle. And then a soldier was standing over me saying, 'Hang in there, buddy.'" Two other soldiers who had been with Hackemer also lost both legs. Hackemer, the most seriously wounded, was transfused with 28 pints of blood in the first week after the attack, said his brother, John. Weeks passed with little indication that Hackmer was responding to treatment. But then small movements in response to his father's voice and recorded music began to give both families hope that Jim would survive. When an Army buddy brought along an iPod to play some of the sergeant's favorite rock tunes, he reacted instantly. "He held up his hand as if he was playing air guitar," John said. "We knew something was happening." Hackemer, a member of the 230th Military Police Company, had been on his second tour in Iraq when he was wounded. Alycia had been scheduled for the same deployment, but pregnancy intervened. Addison was born April 8, the day James was removed from intensive care. Hackemer and his wife, a graduate of Attleboro High School, met through their military unit and married three years ago. At the time her husband was wounded, she was on military duty in Germany, where the 230th is based. She met her husband when he was evacuated to a military hospital there. After several days, James was transferred to Bethesda Military hospital in Maryland. Only a short time after James regained consciousness, Alycia gave birth to their second child in the same hospital one floor above. James listened on an audio hookup as the baby came into the world. Supporting Hackemer's recovery has required some adjustments on the part of his and his wife's families - adjustments they say they're proud to make. Alycia, who was transferred to a military installation close to Boston to be with her husband, is living at her parents' home in Attleboro, along with the two children. And James' parents and brother have moved to Boston for the time being to be at his side. Back home in Hackemer's hometown of Gowanda, N.Y., neighbors and friends are planning a giant rock and roll fundraiser June 29 to assist the family. Friends and others interested in James' story can follow his daily progress online at www.caringbridge.org/visit/jameshackemer, which includes a daily blog, pictures of James and his family and videos related to his recovery. Those who would like to contribute can send donations to Community Bank N.A. Attention Sgt. James T. Hackemer Benefit Fund, 37 West Main St., Gowanda, N.Y., 14070.