Still Standing
Posted by Steve Frazier
The December 7th Program was introduced by Jeremy Huisheere, and the presentations started with a talk by Captain Jim Kosmos.. He is the owner of the excursion boat, the Paddleford that plies the Mississippi in the summer. He also is a Rotarian from Bayport, and formerly an editor/owner of a newspaper. He wrote a book about the life and experiences of the other presenter, whom he introduced as the second speaker.
John Kriesel is about 30 years old, married to Katy, and has two children. He is the newly-elected representative to the state house from his district, and will take the oath of office after the first of the year. He joined the Minnesota National Guard at the age of 17, and was a member of the Red Bull Division. His unit was activated, and he served a hitch in Kosovo.
His unit was deactivated and it returned to Minnesota. John and a group of friends volunteered for another tour of active duty in Iraq. They were sent over and joined a contingent of marines in camp, where their task was to stabilize an area. Daily patrols and constant danger were their way of life.
On December 2, 2006, his unit was sent out to secure a specific location. He was riding as front seat passenger in an armored Humvee, which was following an armored troop carrier. Without warning, the Humvee was struck by an explosive device which destroyed the vehicle, and sent John flying. He woke up to find himself seriously injured with a broken arm, and two useless legs. His friends from his unit tried to keep him calm until the evac helicopter arrived, when he was airlifted from the scene. He passed out and came to eight days later in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D. C. Two of his pals in the Humvee did not make it. He was told by the doctors at the hospital that he would be there for at least two years, and that he would never walk again.
Nine months later, he was out of the hospital and back in Minnesota. He walks with two artificial legs, and only uses a wheelchair when he first gets up in the morning. He has a very positive attitude about life and celebrates the anniversary of his injury - December 2nd - as "Alive Day", and considers his life now as a second chance. (Story by Tad Shaw and posting by Steve Frazier)
John Kriesel is about 30 years old, married to Katy, and has two children. He is the newly-elected representative to the state house from his district, and will take the oath of office after the first of the year. He joined the Minnesota National Guard at the age of 17, and was a member of the Red Bull Division. His unit was activated, and he served a hitch in Kosovo.
His unit was deactivated and it returned to Minnesota. John and a group of friends volunteered for another tour of active duty in Iraq. They were sent over and joined a contingent of marines in camp, where their task was to stabilize an area. Daily patrols and constant danger were their way of life.
On December 2, 2006, his unit was sent out to secure a specific location. He was riding as front seat passenger in an armored Humvee, which was following an armored troop carrier. Without warning, the Humvee was struck by an explosive device which destroyed the vehicle, and sent John flying. He woke up to find himself seriously injured with a broken arm, and two useless legs. His friends from his unit tried to keep him calm until the evac helicopter arrived, when he was airlifted from the scene. He passed out and came to eight days later in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D. C. Two of his pals in the Humvee did not make it. He was told by the doctors at the hospital that he would be there for at least two years, and that he would never walk again.
Nine months later, he was out of the hospital and back in Minnesota. He walks with two artificial legs, and only uses a wheelchair when he first gets up in the morning. He has a very positive attitude about life and celebrates the anniversary of his injury - December 2nd - as "Alive Day", and considers his life now as a second chance. (Story by Tad Shaw and posting by Steve Frazier)